BEREA — Mission accomplished, at least for one night. At least, that's how Browns general manager Andrew Berry saw the way the first round of the NFL draft playing out.
The night started with the Browns trading back from No. 6 to No. 9 with the Kansas City Chiefs, picking up a third- (No. 74) and a fifth-round (No. 148) pick in the process. At No. 9, they selected Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, addressing one of the two biggest needs entering the weekend.
The No. 24 pick was an extra one they had acquired in their 2025 draft-day trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. They used that to fill a need at both wide receiver and punt returner in Texas A&M's KC Concepcion.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: Spencer Fano #55 of the Utah Utes llines up on the defensive line during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesOct 18, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) waits for the play against the BYU Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesUtah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (OL22) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.Oct 18, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) waits for the play against the BYU Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesSalt Lake City, UT - MARCH 19: Spencer Fano #55 walks during the Utah Utes Pro Day at the Spence Eccles Field House on March 19, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: Spencer Fano #55 of the Utah Utes defends against the run during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) and Utah Utes offensive lineman Michael Mokofisi (52) wait for the play during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesOct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis (96) and Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) battle during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesSALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 7: Money Parks #10 of the Utah Utes celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammates Dijon Stanley #23 and Spencer Fano #55 during the first half of their game against the Baylor Bears at Rice Eccles Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)Spencer Fano #55, Utah Utes (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)1 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosPASADENA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: Spencer Fano #55 of the Utah Utes llines up on the defensive line during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)1 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosPASADENA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: Spencer Fano #55 of the Utah Utes llines up on the defensive line during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)2 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosOct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images3 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosOct 18, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) waits for the play against the BYU Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images4 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosUtah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (OL22) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.5 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosOct 18, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) waits for the play against the BYU Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images6 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosSalt Lake City, UT - MARCH 19: Spencer Fano #55 walks during the Utah Utes Pro Day at the Spence Eccles Field House on March 19, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)7 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosPASADENA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: Spencer Fano #55 of the Utah Utes defends against the run during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)8 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosOct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) and Utah Utes offensive lineman Michael Mokofisi (52) wait for the play during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images9 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosOct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis (96) and Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) battle during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images10 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosSALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 7: Money Parks #10 of the Utah Utes celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammates Dijon Stanley #23 and Spencer Fano #55 during the first half of their game against the Baylor Bears at Rice Eccles Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)11 / 11Browns newest NFL draft pick Spencer Fano in photosSpencer Fano #55, Utah Utes (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)"We’re very excited in terms of how night 1 concluded for us, to get two of what I would call our short list players, to pick up another top 100 pick as well as another pick in the top 150," Berry said at the end of the night. "We were very pleased with just really all the activity this evening. We’re really excited about Spencer and his potential at left tackle. … And KC, he’s dynamic. … Those two guys will really help our offense moving forward."
So what are the takeaways from the Browns' first day at the NFL draft? Here's three, one for each move they made.
The most likely scenario coming into the draft was that Berry was going to trade back. He didn't disappoint, moving back three spots while picking up the two extra picks.
The move may not have been a massive one in terms of how far back the Browns went. However, it was just far enough back that it prevented them from losing out on Fano, while even increasing the overall value of the pick.
There could've been even more movement backward, especially with both Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson off the board. While Berry acknowledged getting calls for No. 9, he knew what he wanted at that point.
"We liked a number of those guys up there, including Jordyn," Berry said. "But Spencer was our top target at that point."
First thing's first, Fano is coming in to play left tackle, despite having played right tackle his final two years at Utah and throughout his high school career. It was established by both Fano, who said that's what the Browns told him, then reiterated by both coach Todd Monken and Berry.
However, Fano does continue an offseason trend for the Browns of looking for versatility in the linemen they acquired. Tackle Tytus Howard, acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans, as well as free-agent guards Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins and Teven Jenkins all possess the ability to play multiple positions.
Fano has played tackle his whole career. However, he worked out at both center and guard during the pre-draft process because of concerns regarding what some consider to be "short arms" at less than 33 inches long.
All of that versatility stems from the rash of offensive line injuries the Browns have dealt with over the last three seasons. Berry even admitted that more linemen could be on the way.
"I’d say if you’re on the O line, you typically need to be able to play two spots," Berry said. "I’d say probably more so than versatility was resiliency within the O-line in terms of how you build that position group. Versatility is one way to do it. Strength in numbers is another way to do it. I think we’ll be in a position where we have both. With Spencer in particular, we’re looking to park him at left tackle and let him play. So while it’s nice that he’s played several spots, that’s not our vision for him."
Concepcion had his problems holding onto the football. Over three years at North Carolina State and Texas A&M, the wide receiver had 19 combined drops, including seven in each of his last two seasons.
The Browns had 27 drops, according to Pro Football Focus, in 2026. Jerry Jeudy led the way with nine.
Berry, though, wasn't concerned about it. His reasoning: "Every receiver besides maybe Larry Fitzgerald has a couple drops."
"It’s really relative to the population," Berry continued. "I know that gets talked about, but he has natural dexterity. It’s nothing extreme or nothing out of, I guess it’s not an outlier relative to other receivers in the draft class. I know that’s been the primary talking point but we’re comfortable with KC’s hands."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns day 1 draft thoughts center on value, versatility and drops