Todd Monken, who held the position of head coach for the Cleveland Browns during the 2026 NFL Draft, expressed a high level of confidence regarding the potential of offensive lineman Spencer Fano. According to a team transcript cited in an NFL.com article dated November 30, 2025, Monken addressed questions regarding Fano's physical profile, specifically noting concerns about the player's arm length of 32 and 1/8th inches. While acknowledging that arm length is a factor, Monken suggested that other characteristics were involved in evaluating the player.
Per that same team transcript from November 30, 2025, Monken stated that he believed Fano would be an elite player regardless of where he was placed on the offensive line. Monken noted that while Fano was entering the professional game as a tackle, he believed the player would be an elite guard and an elite center. This assessment came as the Browns utilized the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Fano, a former Utah tackle, following a trade with Kansas City.
Monken's perspective on the roster also extended to the selection of tight end Carsen Ryan. According to a biography of Ryan published on August 29, 2026, Monken was one of the figures Ryan heard from as the Browns selected him with the 248th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ryan, who played his final collegiate season at BYU in 2025, was selected in the seventh round via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.
During the 2026 NFL Draft process, the Browns' front office, including general manager Andrew Berry, worked to address offensive needs. According to the November 30, 2025, NFL.com report, the team secured the No. 9 pick through a trade that also included the No. 74 and No. 148 picks. In addition to selecting Fano, the team added receiver KC Concepcion with the 24th pick in the same first round.
Monken's role during these draft proceedings involved evaluating talent and projecting how players might fit into the team's offensive schemes. As noted in the November 30, 2025, documentation, the team's draft activity was aimed at acquiring players who could help the offense move forward. The selection of Fano was intended to address specific needs on the offensive side of the ball, with the head coach viewing the player as a versatile asset capable of playing multiple positions on the line.
By the time of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Browns had focused heavily on offensive reinforcements. The selection of Ryan, who was a team co-captain in 2025, further bolstered the roster's depth. As recorded in the August 29, 2026, biography, Ryan had a significant collegiate career, including being named an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference in 2025 after playing in all 14 games and recording 3 touchdowns.
What this means for Cleveland
The documents from 2025 and 2026 show that Todd Monken's leadership during the 2026 NFL Draft focused on building offensive depth. His confidence in players like Spencer Fano and the selection of Carsen Ryan highlight the team's strategy to bolster the roster through versatile and high-potential collegiate talent.
