DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk NFL Draft 2026 Browns #9 pick Utah OT Spencer Fano

He was my #1 OT. I’m happy with this pick.

Dane Brugler's write-up....

BACKGROUND
Spencer Fano (fawn-oh), one of six children in his family (five boys, one girl), was born and raised in Spanish Fork, Utah, by his parents
(Bingham and Lori). His father, who grew up in American Samoa, attended Harvard Business School and is now a marketing vice
president. Spencer has a close bond with his older brother (Logan), who was a defensive end at BYU and Utah and is also a 2026 NFL
Draft prospect. His sister (Shalyn) played college basketball at Southern Utah (2019-20), Utah Valley (2020-23) and Grand Canyon
(2023-24). His younger brother (Mataio) is a four-star offensive tackle recruit in the 2028 class and holds offers from BYU and Utah.
He has four uncles (Gabe Reid, Spencer Reid, Tenny Palepoi and Anton Palepoi) who played in the NFL. Anton Palepoi played defensive
end at UNLV and was a second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2002 NFL Draft. Fano’s cousin (Karene Reid) was a
linebacker at Utah (2021-24) and played for the Denver Broncos in 2025 as an undrafted free agent.

Fano started playing football in kindergarten, competing against third graders because he was so much bigger than kids his age. He was
primarily a running back throughout little league (he loved watching Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks growing up). Fano also
wrestled and played basketball, and his father helped train both Logan and Spencer Fano throughout their childhoods. Because of his
size, Fano moved to the trenches in the eighth grade.

Spencer Fano enrolled at Timpview High School, which was a half-hour drive from the family’s house but provided the best available
opportunities. He initially wanted to play on the defensive line, but the coaches convinced him to make offensive line his primary
position. As he made the transition, he strived to emulate Penei Sewell. Despite weighing just 215 pounds as a sophomore, Fano worked
himself into the starting rotation at right tackle and earned second- team all-region honors in 2020. As a junior, he earned
all-conference and all-state honors at right tackle and helped Timpview to a 9-3 record and the 2021 regional championship. Fano again
earned all-state honors at right tackle as a senior and blocked for an offense that averaged more than 40 points per game. He helped
lead Timpview to a 10-win season in 2022 and earned an invitation to the All-American Bowl.

A four-star recruit, Fano was the ninth-ranked offensive tackle in the 2023 class and the No. 1 recruit in Utah. Before he’d become a
full-time varsity starter, he received his first scholarship offer (Utah) in June 2020. Fano collected a few dozen more offers over the next
two years, including from heavy-hitters such as BYU, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Penn State, Stanford, Tennessee, USC and Washington.
During his senior season, Fano announced a final four of Clemson, Michigan, Oregon and Utah. He initially thought he wanted to leave
his home state for college (his family expected him to pick Michigan), but Fano felt most comfortable at Utah. When his brother, Logan,
decided to transfer from BYU to Utah, it made the decision even easier.

Spencer Fano was the top-ranked recruit in former head coach Kyle Whittingham’s 2023 class. He has a close relationship with Isaac
Asiata, a 2017 NFL Draft pick out of Utah and former assistant coach for the Utes (2023-25). After starting each of his first three years
with the Utes, Fano elected to opt out of the team’s bowl game and declare for the NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS
● Lean, fluid athlete with an evenly-distributed frame
● Above-average foot quickness and movement ability in everything he does
● Easily gains ground in pass protection with proper depth to cut off rush angles
● Uses quick, independent hands for commanding strikes in pass sets
● Latch-and-drive bully in run game and has affection for finishing
● Rangy on pulls — does some of his best work away from the line of scrimmage
● Fits up and erases linebackers at second level
● Enjoys hitting people and shows outstanding play demeanor for all four quarters
● Voted one of four team captains (and the only underclassman) in 2025 (Fano: “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love
football.”)
● Fun, gregarious personality; always has a smile on his face (NFL scout: “Has some class clown to him, but in a likeable way. … He’s
all business when it’s time to work but always keeps things light.”)
● Enrolled at Utah at 265 pounds and added almost 50 pounds during first year on campus
● Smart and self-aware to understand strengths and where he must get better
● Durable — played in 37 straight games over three years in college

WEAKNESSES
● Narrow-shouldered and narrow-hipped, with average body length
● Needs to continue developing core and anchor strength
● Gets in trouble when he sets flat and allows longer defenders into his frame
● Inconsistent hand placement mid-slide, leaving him susceptible to spins and inside counters (see 2025 Texas Tech tape)
● Needs to cut down on youthful mistakes (blocking downfield wiped out touchdown on 2025 Texas Tech tape; costly holding on
Wyoming tape)
● Played left tackle in 2023 but is more natural at right tackle (played exclusively right tackle in high school)

SUMMARY
A three-year starter at Utah, Fano played right tackle in former offensive coordinator Jason Beck’s RPO-based spread scheme (also
lined up as a jumbo tight end in unbalanced sets). After becoming an immediate starter at left tackle as a true freshman, he moved to his
more natural right tackle spot the past two seasons and became just the fifth unanimous All-American in school history (and the first on
offense). He also became the first Utah player to win the Outland Trophy and was the second of Polynesian descent to win the honor
(Sewell was the first).
An impressive athlete for the position, Fano is quick out of his stance in pass protection and has the bend, balance and sudden hands to
neutralize different types of rushers. When Utah needed a yard, it ran behind No. 55 and his efficient footwork and hips — particularly
on power-play skip-pulls, where he could fit up defenders and take them for a ride. Though he plays like someone just pissed in his
Cheerios[a], he doesn’t have overwhelming power to manhandle NFL size, and his undeveloped anchor could be an issue early in his
career. Overall, Fano has the feet, demeanor and recovery balance of a starting NFL tackle. He also has a knack for
losing slowly, despite possessing average length and core strength. He has the talent to be an immediate NFL starter
at right tackle or guard.

Has a legendary mentor for the asking I’m sure…

Mine, too.

Refs can close the duplicate I made on the topic....

Dane Brugler's write-up....

BACKGROUND
Spencer Fano (fawn-oh), one of six children in his family (five boys, one girl), was born and raised in Spanish Fork, Utah, by his parents
(Bingham and Lori). His father, who grew up in American Samoa, attended Harvard Business School and is now a marketing vice
president. Spencer has a close bond with his older brother (Logan), who was a defensive end at BYU and Utah and is also a 2026 NFL
Draft prospect. His sister (Shalyn) played college basketball at Southern Utah (2019-20), Utah Valley (2020-23) and Grand Canyon
(2023-24). His younger brother (Mataio) is a four-star offensive tackle recruit in the 2028 class and holds offers from BYU and Utah.
He has four uncles (Gabe Reid, Spencer Reid, Tenny Palepoi and Anton Palepoi) who played in the NFL. Anton Palepoi played defensive
end at UNLV and was a second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2002 NFL Draft. Fano’s cousin (Karene Reid) was a
linebacker at Utah (2021-24) and played for the Denver Broncos in 2025 as an undrafted free agent.

Fano started playing football in kindergarten, competing against third graders because he was so much bigger than kids his age. He was
primarily a running back throughout little league (he loved watching Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks growing up). Fano also
wrestled and played basketball, and his father helped train both Logan and Spencer Fano throughout their childhoods. Because of his
size, Fano moved to the trenches in the eighth grade.

Spencer Fano enrolled at Timpview High School, which was a half-hour drive from the family’s house but provided the best available
opportunities. He initially wanted to play on the defensive line, but the coaches convinced him to make offensive line his primary
position. As he made the transition, he strived to emulate Penei Sewell. Despite weighing just 215 pounds as a sophomore, Fano worked
himself into the starting rotation at right tackle and earned second- team all-region honors in 2020. As a junior, he earned
all-conference and all-state honors at right tackle and helped Timpview to a 9-3 record and the 2021 regional championship. Fano again
earned all-state honors at right tackle as a senior and blocked for an offense that averaged more than 40 points per game. He helped
lead Timpview to a 10-win season in 2022 and earned an invitation to the All-American Bowl.

A four-star recruit, Fano was the ninth-ranked offensive tackle in the 2023 class and the No. 1 recruit in Utah. Before he’d become a
full-time varsity starter, he received his first scholarship offer (Utah) in June 2020. Fano collected a few dozen more offers over the next
two years, including from heavy-hitters such as BYU, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Penn State, Stanford, Tennessee, USC and Washington.
During his senior season, Fano announced a final four of Clemson, Michigan, Oregon and Utah. He initially thought he wanted to leave
his home state for college (his family expected him to pick Michigan), but Fano felt most comfortable at Utah. When his brother, Logan,
decided to transfer from BYU to Utah, it made the decision even easier.

Spencer Fano was the top-ranked recruit in former head coach Kyle Whittingham’s 2023 class. He has a close relationship with Isaac
Asiata, a 2017 NFL Draft pick out of Utah and former assistant coach for the Utes (2023-25). After starting each of his first three years
with the Utes, Fano elected to opt out of the team’s bowl game and declare for the NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS
● Lean, fluid athlete with an evenly-distributed frame
● Above-average foot quickness and movement ability in everything he does
● Easily gains ground in pass protection with proper depth to cut off rush angles
● Uses quick, independent hands for commanding strikes in pass sets
● Latch-and-drive bully in run game and has affection for finishing
● Rangy on pulls — does some of his best work away from the line of scrimmage
● Fits up and erases linebackers at second level
● Enjoys hitting people and shows outstanding play demeanor for all four quarters
● Voted one of four team captains (and the only underclassman) in 2025 (Fano: “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love
football.”)
● Fun, gregarious personality; always has a smile on his face (NFL scout: “Has some class clown to him, but in a likeable way. … He’s
all business when it’s time to work but always keeps things light.”)
● Enrolled at Utah at 265 pounds and added almost 50 pounds during first year on campus
● Smart and self-aware to understand strengths and where he must get better
● Durable — played in 37 straight games over three years in college

WEAKNESSES
● Narrow-shouldered and narrow-hipped, with average body length
● Needs to continue developing core and anchor strength
● Gets in trouble when he sets flat and allows longer defenders into his frame
● Inconsistent hand placement mid-slide, leaving him susceptible to spins and inside counters (see 2025 Texas Tech tape)
● Needs to cut down on youthful mistakes (blocking downfield wiped out touchdown on 2025 Texas Tech tape; costly holding on
Wyoming tape)
● Played left tackle in 2023 but is more natural at right tackle (played exclusively right tackle in high school)

SUMMARY
A three-year starter at Utah, Fano played right tackle in former offensive coordinator Jason Beck’s RPO-based spread scheme (also
lined up as a jumbo tight end in unbalanced sets). After becoming an immediate starter at left tackle as a true freshman, he moved to his
more natural right tackle spot the past two seasons and became just the fifth unanimous All-American in school history (and the first on
offense). He also became the first Utah player to win the Outland Trophy and was the second of Polynesian descent to win the honor
(Sewell was the first).
An impressive athlete for the position, Fano is quick out of his stance in pass protection and has the bend, balance and sudden hands to
neutralize different types of rushers. When Utah needed a yard, it ran behind No. 55 and his efficient footwork and hips — particularly
on power-play skip-pulls, where he could fit up defenders and take them for a ride. Though he plays like someone just pissed in his
Cheerios[a], he doesn’t have overwhelming power to manhandle NFL size, and his undeveloped anchor could be an issue early in his
career. Overall, Fano has the feet, demeanor and recovery balance of a starting NFL tackle. He also has a knack for
losing slowly, despite possessing average length and core strength. He has the talent to be an immediate NFL starter
at right tackle or guard.

j/c:

Someone do a safety check on IrishDawg.

Rebuilding that OL good Job Berry

He is a RIGHT tackle , right ?

He played LT his Jr. year and RT last year

So we draft the RT to play LT instead of the LT who outplayed him. Browns doing Browns things. So annoying.

Come on man

They had him working out at center at the Sr. Bowl. That turns be off a bit.

The video I watched of him this year very closely mirrored what was said in the video Memphis posted in the OL draft thread.

A few quick points:
- He was one of the very few that looked angry blocking. Finishing through the whistle.
- When the defender knocked him off balance, he was quick to regain his base.
- Really quick on stopping the outside rush with his outside step, would drive them into the ground if they couldn't bend around him. Would drive them past the QB if they had the step.
- Hands/Punch were solid, very few times DEs would knock the punch down and swim through.
- Quick feet to get to the second level and to get into in front of defenders horizontally

- Had times he was beat with inside spin move
- did a solid job with recognizing stunts, though was late a couple times through the year.

I am not excited about the pick
Ravens pick 5 picks later and get the better o-lineman (IMO)

Same ...Come on man

Great Pick, O line is Finished. Finally a guy that REALLY wants to be a LT. Nice trade down and good value. Good Job AB

We don't know where he's going to play yet, but Utah moved Fano from LT to RT to get their best players on the field and Fano at RT and Lomu at LT was a better combination than the other way around as Fano is the better run blocker and a more physical player than Lomu who is more of a finesse player.

Tackles are tackles.

Andrew Berry being Andrew Berry . The smartest guy in the room .
Hes such a great GM this is the 2nd " franchise LT " hes drafted .

That turns me off a lot! We could have had Procter (my pick for what it's worth). Fano/Conceptcion...very underwhelming IMO. I sure hope Day 2 goes better than this one.

You really need to watch his film. Fano is so athletic that he can play all 5 positions on the offensive line. That trait is extremely rare and valuable. He is also really strong with very violent hands at the point of attack. He grades well as both a pass and run blocker. He has not given up a sack this year. He measured 32 7/8 inches with his arms, which is plenty long enough to play left tackle in the NFL. He bench-pressed 30 reps, which shows his core strength. His best natural position may be Left Tackle, where he has experience in high School and at Utah. He is by far the better lineman between him and Lomu, who was also drafted in the first round. Proctor's play is undisciplined, despite the amazing natural talent and size. Fano is a better fit. He has already added weight, but He's going to add additional weight in his legs, which will increase his driving power. He deserved to be the first lineman taken in the draft. The Browns got a real one in this draft.

Some of yall are really upset that we got a guy giving up 0 sacks.

I’m fine with the selection of Fano but I wish we hadn’t drafted a WR with drop issues.
Hopefully KC will grind and work hard on fixing the problem.

Both picks come with some concern - but if Tackles are Tackles and we have a solid LT, this is a win. Going to be interesting to see who we get with the other picks. I think I would have been so so tempted to go with Downs at #9 - and I don't know how you then find your LT but I would have loved to see Downs on the this Browns defense.

I prefer a LT that is good enough to be a starting LT in college. A good LT ONLY plays LT. They learn other positions when they aren't. If he isn't good enough to start at LT in college then why should he be drafted as a LT for the pros. It doesn't make any sense. He is a good kid though. I will be rooting for him to prove me wrong but I am usually not when it comes to LTs.

KC is a dice roll. He will have a series of fantastic plays and then he will have a series where he can't catch the ball. This means he has trouble staying focused and disciplined. He is going to have a game where he looks like a stud followed by a game where we want him GONE. Boston would have been a far better choice. We don't have a single receiver with reliable hands on the entire team except Fannon.

Looks like we are still in the sweepstakes for Arch. Looks like Myles gets traded away next season. This is a terrible draft so far.

Very safe pick. Same as last year when the Browns selected Mason Graham. Fano is a very solid OLineman better in the run game than pass protection. While he is not seen as a Joe Thomas LT he should be a solid Olineman for a decade barring injury. Getting the extra 3rd and 5th and then selecting the players targeted at #6 was a very good deal. There are a lot of things that Berry could be criticized for but not what he did here.

Tackles are tackles.

Having the first shot at an OT Fano certainly wouldn't have been my selection. But then I'm just a guy posting on a message board. I don't have the vast resources that an NFL team does. I don't have an extensive scouting department like they do. I don't have an extensive analytics department to break this all down. With all that in mind, since they have all of those things at their disposal which we don't, the millions invested in all of that means they should be right and I should be wrong. But with their track record that's a huge question mark at this point.

I sure hope it turns out they were right and I am wrong on Fano.

I'm not sure the guy you're describing was in this draft. It sounds like Fano would have been the LT if it hadn't created an issue on the other side.

So now we have 2 guys (or 1.5 with Dawand's injury issues) that have played at both tackle spots. OL is "complete" in that we have bodies slotted into all 5 spots... it was always going to be a work in progress into the season regardless of how we executed the rebuild.

Their other OT was Lomu who was drafted in the first round.

I'm just curious. When have you ever seen a team use their best OT on the right side unless they have a left handed QB? I can't recall seeing that. If Lomu was somehow the cause for problems on the right side of their OL and that's the reason they moved Fano to RT, wouldn't that simply create more problems at the LT position? For some reason the math doesn't quite add up on that.

We saw how the "tackles are tackles" thing worked out before.

Are you talking about this situation, specifically? I think the explanation holds water. I also think it's much easier to digest at the college level without trying to read too much into it. Lomu’s game was built on finesse and better at pass protection. Fano can dominate anywhere in run or pass situations.

Considering they both were dominant forces for the Utah Utes, who played a mostly unranked schedule (and no opponent above 15), it's easy to understand how it was simple common sense on how to bookend a basic embarrassment of riches.

And that's the sticking point; we're trying to extrapolate that mindset to the NFL where it would likely never happen.

Just my .02.

Miami did the same thing with Mauigoa playing the right side for them. He was picked 1 pick after Fano. Both played the right side in college and were the top 2 NFL draft picks. Fano by the way won the Big Twelve offensive lineman of the year. I understand that Fano and Mauigoa are both better run blockers or are at least graded higher in run blocking so maybe their coaches just wanted them on the right side to run behind more often???

Fano started his career at Utah as a left tackle, where he was a freshman All-American. But he dominated at right tackle during his sophomore and junior seasons, cementing a top 10 draft selection.

“I only changed positions (in college) because that's what my team needed me to do,” Fano said after his selection.

2023: Freshman All-American. Played in all 13 games with 12 starts (11 at LT, 1 at RT).
2024: Second-team Associated Press All-American. First-team All-Big 12 Conference. Started all 12 games at RT.
2025: First-team Associated Press All-American. Won the Outland Trophy (nation's top interior lineman). Big 12 OL of the Year. First-team All-Big 12. Polynesian College Co-Player of the Year with USC WR Makai Lemon. Started 12 games at RT. Team captain.
Miscellaneous: Brother, Logan, was an All-Big 12 Edge at Utah and is also a prospect in the 2026 draft class. Uncles Gabe Reid (BYU), Spencer Reid (BYU), Teni Palepoi (Utah) and Anton Palepoi (UNLV) played college football and in the NFL.

2023: Freshman All-American. Played in all 13 games with 12 starts (11 at LT, 1 at RT).
2024: Second-team Associated Press All-American. First-team All-Big 12 Conference. Started all 12 games at RT.
2025: First-team Associated Press All-American. Won the Outland Trophy (nation's top interior lineman). Big 12 OL of the Year. First-team All-Big 12. Polynesian College Co-Player of the Year with USC WR Makai Lemon. Started 12 games at RT. Team captain.
Miscellaneous: Brother, Logan, was an All-Big 12 Edge at Utah and is also a prospect in the 2026 draft class. Uncles Gabe Reid (BYU), Spencer Reid (BYU), Teni Palepoi (Utah) and Anton Palepoi (UNLV) played college football and in the NFL.

Fano is on Cleveland Browns Daily right now. He is going to be a fan favorite as long as he is at least above average. Easy to like off the jump. Good personality and says so many positive things. I have a feeling he is going to be a favorite in the locker room as well.

I listened the last time this FO said "tackles are tackles". My entire life before that I was taught and the evidence was obvious that you play your best and most talented OT on the left side unless you have a left handed QB. For some unexplained reason I allowed myself to have my mind changed the last time this happened and as it turned out "tackles weren't tackles".

When looking at the teams in the Big 12 I have no idea why people are so impressed with all of the Big 12 accolades and the most impressive award he received was the Outland Trophy which is for interior OL.

I get it, he's a jack of all trades OL player. Much like a Swiss Army Knife. I'm just not sure how that is going to transfer as a pure LT in the NFL. And if you give up the #9 pick for anything less than a LT I think you paid too much.

Like I stated above, I'm no NFL GM. I don't have their resources or their money. I don't claim to be an expert. But then truth be known neither is anyone else on this board.

At this point we just have to sit back and see how this all plays out. For everyone's sake I hope this FO is right about the LT position this time and I'm wrong. I was wrong right along with them last time.

Yep, he seems like he will follow Thomas and Bitonio in how the fan base will come to love him.

You forgot the caveat'. "as long as he is at least above average". The way this team has been assembled anyone who plays above average that doesn't have more than 26 women accusing them of sexual assault becomes a fan favorite. And who knows what will happen if he starts playing above average.

I think the "tackles are tackles" thing has been twisted into something it wasn't originally intended to be.

Wills had all the physical traits to be a starter-level LT in this league. And he was. He was good so long as he was mentally sharp/focused (which wasn't consistent enough).

I think the "tackles are tackles" thing comes from the thought that a guy can switch sides and be successful if he has the proper tools in his toolbox. Generally, having said tools puts you on the appropriate side of the line, but not always as is being alleged with Fano.

Let's let the dude at least take his first pro snap before calling him a bust.

I've tried to make it clear that I'm certainly no expert and I'm hoping I'm wrong. I won't write any of these players off as a bust until such time it seems clear they should be.

I was certainly not attempting to make any allegations in reference to him either. I simply feel in regards to LT's you need a specialist at the position and not a Swiss Army Knife type of player. While that may work in the Big 12 I'm not so sure how that will transfer to the NFL. But that's just my opinion going into this and nothing more.

Hopefully I'm wrong about that and am certainly open to happily admitting that if so.

Love how he answers questions. Back in my corporate days when I was evaluating talent I put a lot into how people answered questions. Didn't have to be super quick but I did want decisive answers. Don't answer with a questioning voice, give one answer, not a menu of possible answers. Even if you're wrong (and being open and unphased by correction is super important), just give me the one answer you think is right and don't equivocate.

He is a great kid. I only worry about his hand technique and how he trips over his own feet against faster edge rushers like baily. I wanted Monroe but if Warhop says he wants a cerrtain player at LT then you let Warhop have whoever the fug he wants and I will just shut my piehole because that is a man who knows LTs.

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/20...er-logan-as-an-undrafted-free-agent.html

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns’ NFL Draft weekend became a family affair on Saturday. They signed Logan Fano, the older brother of their first pick in the draft, Spencer Fano, a source told cleveland.com

Logan Fano is an edge rusher who, like Spencer, spent the last three years at Utah. He had 10.5 sacks over three years with the Utes. They were both team captains last season.

The 23-year-old, who spent his first two years of college at BYU, is 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at the Combine. A hamstring injury limited what he was able to do there.

He has had three ACL injuries, missing his sophomore year of high school in 2018 with a right tear. He did it again in spring ball in 2022 at BYU and missed the season. He tore his left ACL in 2023.

The Browns traded back from No. 6 to No. 9 overall and picked Spencer as their left tackle of the future.

During his introductory press conference on Friday, Spencer’s parents weren’t in attendance, spending the day with Logan to see if he would hear his name called.

Shorter arms than any successful Left Tackle in the history of the league. No one has had arms as short as Fanos and been any good.

Slater is the exception and his arms are I think a full inch longer than Fanos.

People are slobbering this pick, but unless he is a unicorn, he will be a guard.

I get the hesitation, but I'm a little more optimistic only because I went into this off-season assuming it would take longer than 1 FA/draft to fix the Oline. We have new guys at all 5 spots. Expecting them all to come in and click was already too much.

If they settle only 4 spots along the line in one off-season, I consider that a win. If Fano slots into the RT spot and can contribute there then I think we'll be ok. That would be a disappointment for our top pick, but the draft was never going to be judged based on one pick (even one that high). IMO, as long as he becomes a starter at one of the tackle spots, I can live with that given more of our other picks also end up contributing.

Even if Fano is not the long-term answer at LT for now he'll probably be better than anyone we've had there over the last 5 years or so.

Sorry but I can't help myself here. That's like when you ask a woman why she married her husband and her reply is , "Well he's at least nice to me. My last husband beat me!"

You know, not a guy she really fell in love with but he was better than the last guy.

Well Pit, at least she's moving in a positive direction!!!

It's come out that the combine number was just flat out wrong for a lot of guys.



Daniel Jeremiah has also said the number wasn't right at the combine in one of the post draft interviews with Siciliano.

Plus, he was the most agile OL in the draft. His 7.34s 3 cone is great. Next closest OT was a 7.9s (7.46 from an OC.) He kinda is a unicorn from that perspective.

Bitonio

Oh, you mean left tackle...then yes.

I am really hesitant about his arms as well, I won't downplay it. But they say they hope to see tackles with 33+ arm length and several people re-measured his arms at his pro day and they all said 22 7/8, not 22 1/8. It doesn't end the suspicion of a very steep hill to climb, but it is something.

If Dawand Jones really is in the best shape of his career like his social media is boasting, then he can stick at LT and we can let Fano work at shutting down TJ Watt twice this year.

If Dawand can be our LT and stay healthy, 2 big ifs, then that's a real bonus!!

I hate to say this because I like Dawand, but that is a big IF ...

Saying Jones is in the best shape of his career is like saying i look good for my age,it's a very low bar.Jones doesn't have the feet to play LT.i'd love to see him at RG.
I don't know how arm length is measured,but Fano has an 80" wingspan,the two don't add up to me.Long arms are a great attribute, but strength and agility are more important.Joe Thomas and Orlando Pace only come around once in a generation.

Folks who are all in on Fano are going to blow off the arm length deal.. His college numbers come from the Big 12 ; Competition is nothing like the Big Ten or the SEC .. I think the kid has skills and will be just fine through collrge are being blown off too..e in the NFL .. You might could plug him in at Right tackle from the get go.. LT is going to be interesting watch process.. and topical Berry ,lol .m . Drops by KC in college are being blown off too. All kinds of excuses and stories .. Another interesting watch this season ..

Love the Boston and Warren pick..Kinda like the TE from Cin..

I hate to say this because I like Dawand, but that is a big IF ...

If we start Fano at LT it’s a matter of conjecture how he will do but IMO he will probably play better there than anyone since Joe Thomas. He does have the skills and our coaches wanted him.

Not that it directly means anything, but Joe Thomas' 3-Cone was 7.95
Fano's arms (with the abridged measurements mentioned) are 1-1/2" shorter than Joe's. A lot, but not overwhelming.
Same weight, 1" difference in height.
Joe has a 1" advantage in vertical, but Fano has the 1" advantage in the Broad Jump (explosiveness)
Spencer destroys Joe in the 20-Yard Shuttle (4.67 vs 4.88)

NFL.com Athleticism Scores: Joe 84, Fano 93
Production Score: Joe 99 Fano 85
Total: Joe 91 Fano 89

Fano has small hands. Only 9" vs 10 1/8 for Joe



Overall, they have a LOT of similarities and some minor differences. I'm not remotely saying that Fano will be Joe, but I'd say that enough of the tools & unteachables are there that he has a realistic shot of working toward that.

It's not a marriage (far from it... NFL stands for Not For Long).

The draft is and always has been a crapshoot. You make the best picks you can using the info you have, and then you see where it goes from there.


Joe Thomas was marriage material, but it still ended sooner than either party wanted and neither was happy with what was achieved.

Regarding Warhop...

He was the Browns offensive line coach during the Mangini (2009-2013, I believe) years.

During that time we brought in (please correct me if I'm wrong because I'm doing this off of memory and confirming with Google AI)
-Alex Mack
-Mitchell Schwartz
-John Greco (FA?)
-Shawn Lauvao
-Eric Steinback (FA)
-Jason Pinkston

There are some good-great names in that list, and the less impressive were late-round draft picks that still contributed a little.

Also some not-so great names
-John St. Claire
-Oneil Cousins


He's no Callahan, but I'll take that hit rate while we're building the Oline. Big difference is we already had our LT when he was hired.

And that left tackle publicly said he was the best OLine coach he ever had.

Fair enough. Then I'll rephrase it................

That's like when you ask a woman why she chose this guy as her new boyfriend and her reply is , "Well he's at least nice to me. My last two boyfriends beat me!"