NFL Draft: Spencer Fano finds 'no greater joy' than dominating a defender, grateful he'll practice against Myles Garrett but not face him on Sundays

BEREA — Spencer Fano's smile lights up his large face. He cried when the Browns called Thursday night to inform him he was the No. 9 pick of the NFL Draft. Coach Todd Monken stressed "character" was a major reason for the selection.That's only a partial scouting report on the 6-foot-5½, 313-pound tackle from Utah."You can see him move, you can see him maul," general manager Andrew Berry said late Thursday night. "I think he's very gifted in that regard. But don't be fooled by his kindness."NFL Draft: 5 potential targets for Browns on Day 2Fano plays with an edge. He attacks defenders in the run game. And stones them while protecting the quarterback — he didn't allow a sack or quarterback hit in 2025 and only five pressures.He arrived at Browns headquarters Friday and was asked if there's a switch he flips when he steps on the field."I guess you could say that," he said. "There's no greater joy than moving a man from point A to point B against his will. There's really nothing like it. When you're just pushing a guy back, and he's swinging at your arms, there's no feeling like that. And then to be able to put someone in the dirt, it's awesome."The Browns got the big man they targeted. They traded down from No. 6, acquiring third- and fifth-round picks from the Chiefs to move back three spots. Fano, 21, was the first of seven tackles and nine offensive linemen taken in the first round.The Browns followed with Texas A&M receiver and punt returner KC Concepcion at No. 24.NFL Draft: Browns trade down, take Utah tackle Spencer Fano at No. 9 and Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion at No. 24Berry traded for right tackle Tytus Howard and signed guard Zion Johnson and guard/center Elgton Jenkins in March, but a hole remained at left tackle. Fano will fill it and protect the quarterback's blind side."We're looking to park him at left tackle and let him play," Berry said. "He's super athletic, very versatile, elite makeup."Fano played left tackle as a freshman but moved to right tackle for his final two years after Caleb Lomu joined him at Utah. Lomu was taken No. 28 by the Patriots.Fano was a unanimous All-American and became the first Utah player to win the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman. His athleticism was obvious when he ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash, including 1.72 for the 10-yard split. He was a captain and played 37 straight games.He's confident he can handle the difficult assignment of left tackle."In practice, even when I was at right tackle, I practiced some left," he said. "I always told everybody I feel more comfortable where I'm taking the reps. From what I've been told, I'm going to be taking strictly left tackle reps to get ready for this season."NFL Draft: Receiver KC Concepcion says Browns getting 'a dawg all over the field' and he's 'ready to change the organization'He's got a familiar role model who will be available to help with the transition. He called Browns Hall of Famer Joe Thomas the best left tackle of all time."I feel like I know a good amount about him. Excited to be able to learn from him," Fano said Thursday.Less than 24 hours later he explained what stood out to him about Thomas."I feel like a big thing about him, and I feel like it's a really big character thing, too, is the fact that he played 10 years and didn't miss a snap," Fano said of the record streak of 10,363. "That's insane because you know there's no way that he got through 10 seasons healthy. To me, it's kind of undeniable that he's the greatest of all time."Thomas doesn't have an official role with the organization but remains connected, including coaching linemen during a couple of training camp practices last year."Joe's always involved in the offensive line," Berry said. "Also there's a connection with Joe and Spencer's representation. I think you all know we love having Joe around. I'm sure he will have words of wisdom for Spencer."One of the topics for Thomas and Fano to discuss is veteran line coach George Warhop. He coached Thomas from 2009-13 — he was Thomas' favorite — and followed new coach Todd Monken from Baltimore."It's been really awesome to get to know him, meet him, just talking with him," Fano said of Warhop. "I can already tell what kind of coach he is. He's definitely an old-school type of coach, a very hardcore type of coach, and that's all I've had. So I think that'll be awesome."In a crowded and talented tackle class, Fano separated himself in the eyes of the Browns."His character was first, the way he's wired," Monken said. "I think the expectations that we'll have for him won't even match what he has for himself. His athleticism, his toughness. You want to start off the first year of your regime, you talk about what you want: character, toughness, athleticism. He has it all."The predraft knock on Fano was short arms. The cutoff for some teams for a tackle is 33 inches, and his measured 32 1/8 at the combine. Teams asked him to work out at guard and center."I know it gets talked about a lot and I remember the legendary O-line coach Dante Scarnecchia with New England used to say it's way overrated," Berry said. "I think most times tackles get beat for a lack of feet or athleticism or anchor or awareness, as opposed to length. The biggest thing is, how can the guys short the corner. And with elite athletes like Spencer, they do it with their movement skills. He has a number of incredible both physical and mental characteristics that we think will lead to a successful transition."Fano said the whole process was "pretty confusing.""Shoot, I don't even know what my real arm length is," he said. "We had measured like 32 1/8, freaking pro day was different. Here when I came on the 30 visit, it was 33. When I was at the Steelers it was 33. I don't know what it's like to have 35-inch arms and it hasn't made too much of a difference."I don't think anyone has the athleticism and the feet that I have. In my case, I don't think it makes a big difference."He had a funny answer when asked what he liked about his previous time in town. He mentioned meeting the coaches first."My second favorite thing has actually just been the traffic here. It's been unbelievable," he said. "I was here at 5 p.m. during my 30 (visit) and then there was nothing. There was like just straight green lights."Fano has another important reason to be grateful the Browns chose him."I just got to be honest; One of my first thoughts was I don't have to play Myles Garrett on Sundays," he said. "So that's something to be excited about in itself."He plans to take advantage of the practice reps vs. the NFL's sack king and two-time Defensive Player of the Year."I'm so excited. I feel like there's no better way for me to get better than going against someone like that," Fano said. "Just may be the best player in the world, so to go against him every day is going to be a blessing."The post NFL Draft: Spencer Fano finds 'no greater joy' than dominating a defender, grateful he'll practice against Myles Garrett but not face him on Sundays first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.