Could this Browns rookie become a key starter in 2026?

As the Cleveland Browns continue to navigate the 2026 NFL offseason, the struggling franchise is set to have plenty of new faces on offense heading into the upcoming season.

General manager Andrew Berry made it a point of emphasis this offseason to acquire new offensive players, as the Browns signed guards Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins during the free-agent period. In addition to the front office’s efforts to address the offensive line, Cleveland also managed to walk away with two offensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft in Utah’s Spencer Fano and Florida’s Austin Barber.

While Fano and the rest of the newest offensive linemen will look to completely revamp the offense in 2026, one of the Browns’ fifth-round picks in the most recent NFL Draft, Alabama center Parker Brailsford, has begun to make a name for himself despite his minimal time with the organization.

Could Brailsford become the Browns’ starting center in 2026?

Brailsford, who was widely considered one of the top centers in this year’s draft class, began his college career with the Washington Huskies in 2023. During his one-year stint with the Huskies, the talented offensive lineman played a key role in the program’s National Championship run, as he finished the season with 11 quarterback hurries and one sack on 612 pass blocking snaps.

His incredible efforts at Washington allowed him to enter the transfer portal and follow his head coach, Kalen DeBoer, to , where he became the team’s starter for the next two seasons. Throughout his time with the Crimson Tide, Brailsford continued to display his stout play up front, allowing a total of 16 quarterback hurries and one sack. Despite his struggles in the run game, his tape and his elite showing at the 2026 NFL Combine paved the way for him to be selected in the fifth round by the Browns.