Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has completely redirected the narrative around him over the past few years. Many fans wanted him fired before the 2025 draft, and things may have been headed that way, but not after bringing in several deep and talented draft classes that got this team back on track and on a solid trajectory.
Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, Spencer Fano and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren were all projected to be focal points for this team right out of the gate as high draft picks. The four were better than advertised and made Berry look like a genius, but there’s another rookie thrust into the starting role unexpectedly and quietly dominating alongside them.
PFF shared the five new offensive lines that have allowed the lowest pressures so far this season. It may come as a surprise to casual fans, but right guard Austin Barber tops the list at a paltry 3.9 percent, not to Browns fans.
“Lowest pressure rate allowed among rookie OL this season Austin Barber 3.9% Matt Gulbin 4.2% Jake Slaughter 4.3% Kadyn Proctor 4.4% Vega Ioane 4.4%,” PFF wrote.
Lowest pressure rate allowed among rookie OLs this season
Austin Barbershop 3.9%
Matt Gulbin 4.2%
Jake Slaughter 4.3%
Female Proctor 4.4%
Vega John 4.4% pic.twitter.com/NoaaC2idyL— PFF (@PFF) October 8, 2026
Barber was drafted out of Florida in the third round, which makes sense given his size at 6’7″ and 320 pounds. With Tytus Howard now locked in as the starting right guard, Barber’s path to immediate playing time was murky, but that all changed when right guard Teven Jenkins went down with a back injury just before Week 1.
Barber made impressive appearances at right guard at the end of preseason, which now looks like his permanent position. With Jenkins on a one-year deal, Berry may have found this team’s long-term solution at right guard, which is quite an accomplishment with a third-round pick.
That offensive line was in shambles heading into this season, but Fano and Barber became immediate impact players and a big reason why Deshaun Watson surprisingly became a quarterback. This line has come together smoothly, and while you never want to get too excited about a month into someone’s career, the Browns may have a star on their hands in Austin Barber.
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Browns 2026 Draft Class Is Quietly Paying Big