Why Browns traded up to 86th pick to draft Florida OT Austin Barber originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Cleveland Browns are making a lot of picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and a lot of those selections have gone over well with pundits, especially their trades. And they just made another one.According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Browns have traded up with the No. 86 pick, sending the No. 105, 145, and 206 picks to the Los Angeles Chargers to move back into Round 3 after trading out earlier.With this pick, the Browns are taking Florida offensive tackle Austin Barber, a multi-year starter in college, to further beef up the OL in Cleveland.2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still availableBrowns trade up with Chargers to draftBarber is a versatile offensive lineman who could play in the interior of the OL if needed, or he could take over at left tackle if Spencer Fano finds a home along the interior.The new Browns offensive lineman was acquired after Andrew Berry traded up from outside of the third round into Round 3 with the 6-foot-6, 314-pound lineman.He's started the last three years at left tackle for the Florida Gators, and could be a starter for Cleveland along the OL right away at either LT or in the interior if needed.More: Todd Monken reveals QB plan for Browns thats good news for Shedeur SandersComing into the offseason, the Browns had to remake their entire offensive line.
And after a few free agent signings, a trade for Tytus Howard, and now a few picks, the OL looks to be in decent shape.Fano is more likely to be the starter at his preferred position, but Barber can fill in where needed. Berry and the Browns have been having a strong draft, and Barber, an offensive tackle who can move inside, is another good pick this year for Cleveland.And the trade-up, costing at the 145th and 206th picks to go from 105 to No. 85, the Browns didn't have to give up too much to acquire a new lineman to protect Shedeur Sanders, or whoever ends up as the starting QB in 2026 for Cleveland.More Browns news:Todd Monken missed NFL head coach photo thanks to getting a haircut for said photoWhy Shedeur Sanders is changing Browns jersey to No. 2 after wearing 12Browns back out of A.J. Epenesa's free agent contractDeshaun Watson is obviously the Browns' most overpaid player