Browns Select Austin Barber with No. 86 Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The Cleveland Browns selected Florida offensive tackle Austin Barber with the 86th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, trading up to secure the lineman.
Barber appeared in 50 career games for the Florida Gators, starting 39 of them—including 34 at left tackle and five at right tackle. He redshirted in 2021 before becoming the starting left tackle for three-and-a-half years, starting all 25 games across his junior and senior seasons and earning All-SEC honors.
The Browns traded back into the third round with the Los Angeles Chargers to select Barber, parting with multiple draft picks to move up. Coach Todd Monken said the team “really liked him from the jump” and emphasized the need to address the offensive line.
Barber joins a revamped Browns offensive line that includes acquisitions such as Tytus Howard (traded from the Texans), re-signed guard Teven Jenkins and free-agent signings Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. The team also selected OT Spencer Fano with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The unit also features returning players Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, and Zak Zinter, along with depth options including Kingsley Eguakun, Jack Conley, Kendrick Green, Jeremiah Byers, KT Leveston, and Tyre Phillips.
USA Today’s Chris Easterling gave the selection a C+ grade, noting that trading up for a developmental tackle is a risk, particularly as Barber could potentially move inside to guard. However, Easterling acknowledged that such moves are common in the later rounds of the draft.
Barber’s selection reflects Cleveland’s continued investment in rebuilding its offensive line during the 2026 offseason.
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