The Cleveland Browns rejected a trade offer from the Dallas Cowboys during the 2026 NFL Draft, opting to keep their pick at No. 9. The Cowboys proposed a deal involving picks 12, 20, and a fifth-rounder, but the Browns chose to select Spencer Fano instead.
Key points
Browns rejected Cowboys' trade offer during 2026 NFL Draft
Cowboys offered picks 12, 20, and a fifth-rounder
Browns selected Spencer Fano at pick 9
Cowboys selected Caleb Downs after trading up with Dolphins
During the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys tried to move up in a deal with the Cleveland Browns while Cleveland was on the clock at pick No. 9. The Browns turned down the offer, choosing to stay at their original position â a decision thatâs now drawing attention in hindsight.
âWhen the Browns were on the clock at Pick 9 in this yearâs NFL Draft, the Cowboys offered picks 12 and 20 and a fifth-rounder for Picks 9 and 24. Cleveland was not interested,â Jon Machota of The Athletic shared on X.
After that failed attempt, Dallas didnât sit still for long. They struck a separate deal with the Miami Dolphins, moving up from No. 12 to No. 11, where they ultimately selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The Browns, on the other hand, stuck to their draft board and officially selected Spencer Fano, an offensive tackle from Utah.
Q&A
What trade offer did the Dallas Cowboys make to the Cleveland Browns during the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Cowboys offered picks 12, 20, and a fifth-rounder in exchange for the Browns' picks 9 and 24.
Who did the Cleveland Browns select after rejecting the Cowboys' trade offer?
The Browns selected Spencer Fano, an offensive tackle from Utah, after turning down the trade.
What did the Dallas Cowboys do after their trade offer to the Browns was rejected?
The Cowboys moved up from pick 12 to pick 11 in a separate deal with the Miami Dolphins and selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Why is the Browns' decision to reject the Cowboys' trade offer significant?
The decision is drawing attention as it could impact the Browns' future performance and draft strategy, especially compared to the players selected by the Cowboys.
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The Browns were one of the more active teams on night one of the 2026 NFL Draft, using their two first-round picks to add what they hope are immediate impact players for a roster in need of upgrades. They helped kick off the action early, making the first trade of the night by moving down from No. 6 to No. 9 in a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, who went on to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
The move gave Cleveland more flexibility, and according to a recent ESPN video, the Brownsâ general manager revealed that the team had already narrowed its focus to a small group of players they were considering with the No. 9 pick.
Before the trade-down, Fano was one of three names firmly in the mix for the Cleveland Browns at No. 9. Other than him, the other two players under consideration were wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who went eighth overall to the New Orleans Saints, and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, selected tenth overall by the New York Giants.
In the end, it worked out well. The Brownsâ head coach, Todd Monken, said they plan to start Spencer Fano at left tackle. He added that the team is âjackedâ about trading down, picking up extra draft picks, and still being able to âget the player we targeted the whole time.â
The Browns were even ready to take him at No. 6, so getting him at No. 9 and adding extra picks made this a smart move.
How Spencer Fano fits into the Cleveland Brownsâ plans
With the ninth overall pick, the Browns selected the first offensive lineman of the day, Spencer Fano, out of Utah. Cleveland had the option to take him or Francis Mauigoa, and they chose Fano.
Fano was a three-year starter and a strong run blocker. He is 6â5â and over 300 pounds but still one of the most athletic linemen in the draft.
One concern is his arm length at 32 and 1/8 inches, which is shorter than what teams usually prefer for an NFL tackle. Still, when you watch him play, it does not look like a problem. He started at left tackle as a freshman at Utah, then moved to right tackle as a sophomore and has started there for the last two seasons.
Last season, Fano allowed 0 sacks, 0 quarterback hits, and just five total pressures in 12 starts. He had an outstanding 2025, winning the Outland Trophy, Polynesian Player of the Year, and Big 12 Offensive Lineman honors.
He enters the NFL as a tackle, but he has said he is open to moving to guard if needed.
âIf you want me to play center, Iâll play center,â Fano said, via the official website of the NFL. âIâll do whatever it takes to be great in this league.â
This pick helps fix a big problem on Clevelandâs offensive line. The Browns struggled last season in both the run game and pass protection. They clearly focused on fixing that by trading for Tytus Howard and signing Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins.
In the end, this move makes sense. While the quarterback room remains under scrutiny, the Browns improved their offensive line and added a talented player who can help right away.
