It’s no secret that the Cleveland Browns need to revamp their offensive line this offseason, and they’ll need to attack it both in free agency and in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Even though everyone talked about it François Mauigoa, Spencer FanoAnd Monroe Freeling recently, Florida Austin Barber should not be completely ignored. Barber was consistently ranked among the top 40-50 players in the class heading into the 2025 season, and simply because the Gators had a bad year this season, he was completely forgotten about.
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Yes, he wasn’t as good in 2025 as he was in 2024 (when he was one of the best offensive tackles in college football), but he was still just as dominant in most aspects.
He has elite size and one of the prettiest passing sets you’ll ever see, consistently keeping a wide base as he slides through 45-degree sets. His above-average grip strength and hand placement have been his calling cards throughout his college career, being able to block edge rushers from the start of the rep.
His ability to consistently mirror defenders, despite being densely built, is incredibly impressive, and he is one of the most fun left tackles to watch on film as a run blocker.
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Barber is an excellent zone blocker both in 1-on-1 situations and during combos downfield. Having such a thick, stocky build makes this look even more impressive and speaks to his overall athleticism at the position.
If things pan out the way they are currently in terms of where he might be available in April’s draft, Cleveland might be able to find a starting-quality left tackle in Barber in the third round.
Current NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 3-4
