2 Teams Reportedly Tried to Leapfrog Giants with Browns Trade in Top 10 of 2026 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns had two opportunities to trade back further in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, according to Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein.

Cleveland moved from No. 6 to No. 9 in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Epstein reported two teams from the NFC reached out in the hope of jumping ahead of the New York Giants, who had the 10th pick.

"Both trade offers enter a Browns database that assesses their value," Epstein wrote. "An analysis appears on the third of five large screens canvassing the Browns' draft room walls. Each of the five displays gives Cleveland's executives a different lens into the high-stakes decision-making process upon which they're embarking. Each display is programmed to update within five to 10 seconds of every pick in the draft."

Once the Browns were on the clock, general manager Andrew Berry pressed national scout Zach Ayers for a report on Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano.

Ayers called Fano "the best tackle in this entire draft" and a player who possesses a "are combination of athleticism, quickness, strength."

Another scout, Josh Cox, concurred and said Fano is "the twitchiest, quickest offensive tackle in the draft," one who can be an effective blocker in run and pass scenarios.

Berry was sold and informed the league the Browns would be taking the 6'5", 311-pound lineman.

Grading Spencer Fano Pick

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Fano may have also been the prospect the two NFC teams were targeting. The Giants took Miami lineman Francis Mauigoa, while Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor and Penn State guard Vega Ioane were gone within the next four selections.

Cleveland triggered a run on the O-line.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was a plausible option at No. 9, too. He was the top-ranked player on Bleacher Report's final big board, but playing a non-premium position led him to fall to the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th pick.

The Browns have basically turned over their entire offensive line from 2025. Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin, Ethan Pocic, Cam Robinson and Wyatt Teller all left as free agents.

Trading down in Round 1 for a second time would've allowed Cleveland to get more draft capital. By staying put, the team addressed a major issue.

Berry and his colleagues in the war room didn't need to overthink this one with Fano sitting there.