The Browns are entering a new era led by rookie head coach Todd Monken along with Deshaun Watson returning from injury and Dillon Gabriel/Shedeur Sanders going into year 2 in the NFL as well. The Browns had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season but still went 5-12 as the offense was in the conversation for being the worst in the league. Quarterback Deshaun Watson was unavailable due to injury while Sanders/Gabriel had their rookie growing pains. With new offensive minded head coach Todd Monken and all three QBs either getting healthier and/or gaining experience, the offense should be in much better hands during this upcoming 2026 season. However, the offensive personnel that the Browns surrounded their QBs with a season ago was simply not good enough and the personnel that the team has on offense will loom large in 2026 as well. In an assessment of the offensive line of the team heading into the 2026 season, I can offer the following.
Set to start at left tackle for the Browns is 2026 1st rounder Spencer Fano who was drafted quite high ninth overall by the team. Fano was one of the premier offensive lineman in all of college football during his time at the University of Utah and in is in line to become a star in the NFL. Fano will likely see his growing pains in the NFL, but the Browns may very well have their left tackle of the future in Fano.
Former 1st round pick Zion Johnson is set to start at left guard for the Browns and has shown a lot of potential although struggling to stay consistent. Johnson in two of four seasons has graded in the above average range twice and the below average range twice, showing his potential but his inconsistencies. Likewise, in two of four seasons Johnson has ranked above average in terms of pass blocking efficiency twice and below average twice, while ranking above average in terms of run blocking grade twice and below average twice. However, Johnson has never graded in the well above average to elite range as a player and is very inconsistent. Perhaps Johnson can put it all together in the first year under new offensive minded head coach Todd Monken and start to consistently live up to his high draft potential.
The Browns acquired long time Packer and former 2nd round pick Elgton Jenkins this offseason to bolster the interior of the offensive front. Jenkins played at a consistent borderline elite level in each of his first six seasons in the NFL. However, during the 2025 season Jenkins struggled with his health and transitioned to playing center for the first time in his career and produced at a below average rate. Jenkins is currently set to start at center for the Browns, and it remains to be seen how effective he will be there. However, if Jenkins does struggle the team can always switch him to guard as he consistently has been a very good player starting at guard throughout his career. However, I feel that Jenkins will eventually get acclimated to playing center and will provide the Browns with a very good option in that regard.
Former 2nd rounder Teven Jenkins is currently set to start at right guard for the Browns and is a borderline elite to an elite player at the position. Jenkins struggled in limited rookie snaps as one would expect him to but in year 2 in the NFL during the 2022 season he ranked as the third best overall guard in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. Over the next three seasons Jenkins has consistently been very good to great ranking in or around the top ten among qualified guards at his position in terms of an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus.
Former first rounder Tytus Howard is currently listed as the starter at right tackle for the Browns but is likely better suited as a backup. Howard in seven seasons has graded in the above average range among players at his position only twice and in both instances, he was still only slightly above average. Howard however ranked among the best pass protectors in the sport last season and has consistently been above average as a pass protector for two straight seasons now. Howard may be better off as a reserve but if he is on his A game is absolutely still a solid but not spectacular starting tackle.
From a depth standpoint on the offensive line the Browns have some notable names that could transition to a starting role and/or serve the team as a high-end backup. Cleveland drafted tackle Austin Barber in the third round of the 2026 draft, and he could eventually perhaps threaten to take the starting job from veteran Tytus Howard. 2021 3rd rounder Kendrick Green was drafted pretty highly and has shown some promise in the NFL. Interior offensive lineman Zak Zinter was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2024 draft and has looked poor in limited NFL action but still was drafted pretty highly and has not yet had the chance to come into his own. While 2020 3rd round tackle Tyre Phillips was drafted pretty highly and although he has underwhelmed in the NFL, he has yet had the chance to put together a full season of snaps.
The Browns are in line to have a solid if not more than that offensive line heading into the 2026 season and their offense could take a big leap forward as a result. A breakdown of the Browns’ offensive line heading into the 2026 season can be found below.
2026 Browns’ Projected Starting Offensive Line
LT – Spencer Fano – 2026 1st rounder
LG – Zion Johnson – C+ to B-, 2022 1st rounder, inconsistent but has shown a lot of promise
C – Elgton Jenkins – B to B+, now transitioning to center after playing guard throughout career
RG – Teven Jenkins – B+ to A-, one of the most underrated players in the NFL, borderline elite to an elite player
RT – Tytus Howard – C+ to B-, likely better suited as backup, but has been consistently very strong in pass protection for two straight seasons
Notable 2026 Browns’ Reserve Offensive Lineman
T – Austin Barber – 2026 3rd rounder
G – Kendrick Green – C+, former 3rd rounder who has shown some promise
G – Zak Zinter – D so far as 2024 3rd rounder, has yet had chance to fully prove himself, but has looked poor in limited NFL action
T – Tyre Phillips – C- so far as 2020 3rd rounder, has yet had chance to put together a full season of snaps
