Your Cleveland Browns are in first place in the AFC North. Yes, it's possibly temporary as the Browns and Steelers are the only teams to have played four games so far, but that shouldn't make it any less glorious.
Two years ago, the Browns finished the 17-game season 3-14. Through one month of 2026 they've matched that win total. That's progress.
On a night when the Amazon broadcast crew poked fun at Cleveland's decades-long drought of winning the AFC North (37 years) while propping up Pittsburgh's 16 division titles in the same span, the Browns outclassed the Steelers for most of the contest. From the much-maligned quarterback Deshaun Watson's gutsy performance to Cleveland's defense standing tall despite multiple injuries, the Dawg Pound had plenty to cheer about on Thursday night.
Don't forget about the pups, though. Once again, Cleveland relied heavily on its 2026 rookie class, and once again, they delivered. The game got a little close for comfort at the end, but the winning result means making corrections in the glow of victory.
The Browns' unfathomable 3-1 start is in no small part due to major contributions from their rookie class
Left tackle Spencer Fano
Last week, Fano was terrorized by the Panthers' pass rush, allowing five pressures and a sack. Against Pittsburgh's vaunted front, he righted the ship. He allowed three pressures on the night, but no sacks. He wound up being graded as the Browns' second-best pass blocker behind left guard Zion Johnson, with an impressive 74.3 grade courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
In PFF's analysis, he struggled mightily as a run blocker with a team-worst 35.6 grade in that area. That dragged his overall offensive grade to 52.7, which ranked 16th of the 19 players to play on offense. It's been a bit of a seesaw for Fano, as last week his performance was similarly uneven, though inverted. Still, he continues to excel at certain parts of the game.
It's only a matter of time before he puts together a complete game. The early results are tantalizing nonetheless.
Verdict: Stock is volatile, but showing great signs of potential
Wide receiver KC Concepcion
Concepcion followed up his least-productive game against Carolina with his most-productive one on Thursday. He was targeted eight times on the night, snagging five of them for 64 yards, 39 of which came after the catch. He also returned two punts for 10 yards.
The role many envisioned for the former Texas A&M Aggie is coming to fruition. Head coach and offensive playcaller Todd Monken continues to dial up touches for the speedy dynamo, and the returns are promising. PFF assessed his performance with an acceptable 63.1 grade, good for 11th on offense.
Verdict: Stock is rising
Wide receiver Denzel Boston
Denzel Boston continues to flourish, and a tangible chemistry with Deshaun Watson is brewing. Boston was targeted seven times, reeling in four of them for a team-leading 89 yards. His big-play ability was on full display once again when he caught a long pass that went for a 60-yard gain early in the second quarter.
While they obviously have four games apiece compared with the rest of the league's three (minus the Steelers), Boston and Concepcion are Nos. 1 and 2 in yardage for rookie receivers. Boston's 284 yards are nearly double second-place Concepcion's 144. For the contest, Boston received a 71.7 overall grade, good for third on offense.
Verdict: Stock causing unbridled optimism for a cautious Browns fanbase
Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
McNeil-Warren's steady rise in playing time continues. He was on the field for 36 snaps, just eight shy of his season total of 44 leading into Thursday night. EMW actually got his first start as Cleveland opened up with three safeties on the field. For the night, he totaled four combined tackles and two pass breakups.
In coverage, he was targeted twice and allowed one reception for 21 yards and a touchdown to the Steelers' gigantic tight end Darnell Washington. Still, EMW finished with a 70.4 PFF grade, which ranked fifth out of the 18 defenders who played a snap. He played a crucial role in limiting the Steelers' offense, and it appears there is more on the way.
Verdict: Stock rising steadily
Right guard Austin Barber
Barber has had a rollercoaster of a season thus far, after playing lights out in Week 1 and struggling in Weeks 2 and 3 before steadying the ship a bit in Week 4. He allowed only one pressure on the night despite facing the Steelers' impressive arsenal of defensive linemen. His 64.6 overall grade for the game ranked 9th.
Making matters even more impressive for Barber and his fellow rookie linemate Spencer Fano is the fact that they survived despite missing the veteran leader of the offensive line, center Elgton Jenkins. Jenkins wasn't able to suit up after suffering a concussion in the Panthers game. Luke Wypler filled in admirably, and the unit did enough to earn a win. The future is bright for the Browns' O-Line.
Verdict: Stock rising after a sharp downturn
Tight end Carsen Ryan
Ryan had a single snap on offense, though it didn't seem to go particularly well. PFF graded his effort at 41.1, which ranked second-to-last on offense. He still played his usual healthy serving of special teams snaps and earned a near-perfectly average 60.7 grade on those snaps. He didn't record any official statistics.
Ryan continues to be the only Day 3 rookie to get any playing time. Fifth-rounder Parker Brailsford was finally active, though he didn't get on the field Thursday. Justin Jefferson was a healthy scratch and Taylen Green remained in his thankless post as the team's emergency third quarterback. Fellow tight end Joe Royer remains on the non-football injury list.
Verdict: Steady if uninspiring
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