As a Browns fan growing up, the NFL draft was one of the only things to look forward to on the league calendar.

Hours were spent as a kid looking at draft profiles and big boards, while thinking of potential trades that could shake up the selection process.

The 2026 draft is over. So, let’s look at what the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers did through the first three rounds, because those are the draftees more likely to make an impact. Additionally, there will also be a Day 3 player for both teams that should be the most intriguing to watch when camp breaks.

BROWNS

– Spencer Fano, OT, 6-5, 311 pounds, jr., Utah (Ninth Overall/Round 1, Pick 9) – The Browns first pick was Utah’s starting right tackle for the last couple years. He started at left tackle as a freshman and was named to the Freshman All-American team in 2023. He’s not the biggest offensive lineman, but his athleticism caught the eye of the Browns. The goal is to have him start at LT, a position Cleveland has been unable to fill since Hall of Famer Joe Thomas retired in 2018.

– KC Concepcion, WR, 5-11, 196 pounds, jr., Texas A&M (24th Overall/Round 1, Pick 24) – The Browns’ receivers have provided very little to the franchise for years. Cleveland occasionally runs into the additions of Jarvis Landry or Josh Gordon, but consistent weapons have been few and far between. Concepcion can play in the slot or the Z (traditionally the more twitchy receiver on the outside). He runs good routes and is special with the ball in his hands, accounting for 2,649 total yards and 28 touchdowns in 255 plays during his three years with the Aggies. But drops are an issue that has to get cleaned up, letting seven balls hit the turf last year.

– Denzel Boston, WR, 6-3, 212 pounds, r-jr., Washington (39th Overall/Round 2, Pick 7) – The Browns doubled down on a position of need, something they did in the 2025 draft at running back and had some success. If there are concerns about Concepcion’s hands, there won’t be the same issue with Boston. In his 43 games, he caught 132 passes for 1,781 yards and 20 TDs. He posted at least 62 catches, 834 yards and nine TDs in each of the last two years. A physical X receiver (traditionally the big-target WR that lines up outside), he could be a perfect compliment for Concepcion. A little thunder and lightning, if you would.

– Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, 6-3, 201 pounds, sr., Toledo (58th Overall/Round 2, Pick 26) – This was one of the surprises of the draft. McNeil-Warren’s speed (a 4.52 40-yard dash at the combine) was one of the only knocks in his game. Even then, that’s plenty of mobility for a safety, especially for a player with his ability to force turnovers. In his final 35 games, he intercepted five passes and forced eight fumbles.

– Austin Barber, OT, 6-6, 318 pounds, sr., Florida (86th Overall/Round 3 Pick 22) – The Browns moved a couple times in the third round, but they eventually made a deal with the Green Bay Packers to take Barber. The Gator has some developing to do, and there’s no guarantee that he sticks at offensive tackle in the NFL. But similarly to Fano, he played both OT spots in “The Swamp.” He may kick inside to guard, but taking a chance on a player to provide some depth and versatility – the Browns had to rebuild the entire O-line – isn’t a bad thing late in Day 2.

– DAY 3 NOTABLE: Taylen Green, QB, 6-5, 227 pounds, sr., Arkansas (182nd Overall/Round 6, Pick 1) – Green was one of the most fascinating players in the draft. He ran a 4.36 in the 40 at the combine, and his long strides only make him look faster, similar to former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. While the athletic ability is off the charts, Green has a lot of learning to do at QB, where the Browns plan to keep him for the time being.

His mechanics are a mess. Specifically, his throwing motion is long (almost like Byron Leftwich) and his dropbacks tend to tail to the left instead of being straight back. The ideal situation would be for him to not see the field in 2026 so he can adjust to NFL speed and processing, while working on those mechanical issues. But the talent is understandable to take a chance on in the sixth round.

STEELERS

– Max Iheanachor, OT, 6-5, 321 pounds, sr., Arizona State (21st Overall/Round 1, Pick 21) – Iheanachor is an interesting prospect. A Nigeria native who moved to California at 13, he played soccer growing up. So football is still relatively new to him. He began his collegiate career in junior college, but transferred to Arizona State in 2023. He appeared in 32 games for the Sun Devils, with 31 coming at right tackle. He could be the replacement for former first-round pick Broderick Jones, who hasn’t taken the world by storm so far in the NFL and he underwent spinal fusion surgery after injuring his neck in Week 12 last season.

– Germie Bernard, WR, 6-1, 206 pounds, sr., Alabama (47th Overall/Round 2, Pick 15) – The Steelers could have used another receiver to complement DK Metcalf. Just like Concepcion, Bernard has inside-outside versatility and he’s a speedy option to line up opposite the freak that Metcalf has been in the NFL. He started at Michigan State before transferring to Washington as a sophomore. He made one more move to Alabama in 2024, and in his two years, he caught 114 passes for 1,656 yards and nine scores. Last season, he caught 64 balls for 862 yards and seven TDs.

– Drew Allar, QB, 6-5, 228 pounds, sr., Penn State (76th Overall/Round 3, Pick 15) – This was the most questionable pick as far as I’m concerned. Allar appeared in 45 games for the Nittany Lions, but the production wasn’t consistent. He threw for 7,402 yards, 61 TDs and 13 INTs. He completed 63.2% of his passes, but as Ohio State fans know, it always seemed like the missed targets came at the wrong time. If Aaron Rodgers comes back, Allar should look to rework his footwork and mechanics to try and cut down on some of those missed throws.

– Daylen Everette, CB, 6-1, 196 pounds, sr., Georgia (85th Overall/Round 3, Pick 21) – The Steelers’ pass defense (finishing 29th in the league in passing yards allowed) needed massive help, and the organization always seems to need defensive backs. Everett could help in that fact. He appeared in 55 games and made 150 tackles with the Bulldogs. He’s fast. Really fast, running a 4.38 40 at the combine. He also has a nose for the ball. He had an interception in each of the last two SEC championships and he batted away 10 balls last fall.

– Gennings Dunker, G, 6-5, 319 pounds, sr., Iowa (96th Overall/Round 3, 32 Pick) – Adding offensive line help is never a bad idea, and Iowa O-linemen also have a good history of success. Dunker isn’t the greatest athlete and needs to improve on some technical issues, but he could develop into a starting guard due to his strength (30 reps on the bench at his pro day) and frame.

– DAY 3 NOTABLE: Eli Heidenreich, RB, 6-0, 198 pounds, sr., Navy (230th Overall/Round 7, Pick 14) – Heidenreich had an experience few will ever see. A Pittsburgh native and Mount Lebanon graduate, he got to hear his name called in his hometown. Additionally, it’s special when any member of the service academies get drafted because so few get the chance.

Heidenreich is a “football player.” And that’s with the most sincerity that can be provided. He ran for 499 yards and three touchdowns, but he caught 51 passes for 941 yards and six scores for Navy last season. If he sees time this season, it will likely be on special teams early on, but his hands and speed (4.44 in the 40 at the combine) can make him a potential third-down back once he gets his sea legs.