BEREA, Ohio -- Following the NFL Combine, the Cleveland Browns made a preemptive move to address the offensive line by acquiring offensive tackle Tytus Howard from the Texans in a trade.
The Browns agreed to a three-year, $63 million contract extension with Howard, per reports. The Browns gave up the fifth-round draft choice they received in 2026 for quarterback Kenny Pickett. The trade cannot become official until the NFL's new league year begins on March 11.
This was the first move the Browns have made as they are set to overhaul their offensive line with four of the five starters from last season set to become free agents.
Howard, 29, has played offensive tackle and guard in the NFL, but is expected to be the starting offensive tackle, likely on the right side, with the Browns due to the contract that he was signed to.
Francis Mauigoa (Photo: Getty, 247Sports)
The question is will this alter the Browns plans at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft as the Browns currently, have the No. 6 overall pick and many experts expect the Browns to look at the draft to find another starting tackle, perhaps the long-term answer at left tackle. In addition, the Browns also have a second, first-round pick (No. 24), a well as pick No. 39 and No. 70 in the first three rounds. One or more of those picks could be used for offensive line help, even if they do not use their first pick on the offensive line.
There are two offensive tackles that have been talked about being in play with the Browns first pick, including Miami's Francis Mauigoa and Utah's Spencer Fano.
Mauigoa (6-5, 329) was ranked by NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah as the No. 12 prospect (No. 8 ESPN) in the NFL Draft. Georgia's Monroe Freeling was the 'biggest riser' after the NFL Combine as he was the No. 25 prospect before the combine and has climbed his way up to the point that PFF.com had Freeling the Browns choice at No. 6 in their latest mock draft. PFF had the Browns drafting wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the No. 24 pick, overall in the first round.
Jeremiah summed up Mauigoa in his draft profile this way:
"Mauigoa is a big, powerful right tackle prospect," he said. "He has a massive lower body and plays with a firm base in pass protection. He has average foot quicks out of his stance, but he can bend his knees and anchor against power rushers. He's a fluid mover and is patient with his punch. Once he latches on, he has strong hands to steer and control. In the run game, he can uproot and displace defenders with upper torque and leg drive.
"He's more of a one-track player at the second level; he can swallow linebackers when he doesn't have to adjust in space," he said. "Mauigoa should immediately be a dominant run blocker in the NFL and he has the skill set to be functional in pass protection."