Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has completely redirected the narrative around him over the past couple of years. Many fans wanted him fired prior to the 2025 draft, and things may have been trending in that direction, but not anymore after bringing in a couple of deep and talented draft classes that have gotten 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 of this team right out of the gate as high draft picks. All four have been better than advertised and are making Berry look like a genius, but there is another rookie who was thrust into a starting role unexpectedly and is quietly dominating right alongside them.
PFF shared the five rookie offensive linemen who have allowed the lowest pressure rate so far this season. It may be surprising to casual fans, but not to avid Browns fans that rookie right guard Austin Barber sits atop the list at a measly 3.9 percent.
“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 OL this season
Austin Barber 3.9%
Matt Gulbin 4.2%
Jake Slaughter 4.3%
Kadyn Proctor 4.4%
Vega Ioane 4.4% pic.twitter.com/NoaaC2idyL— PFF (@PFF) October 8, 2026
Barber was drafted as a tackle out of Florida in the third round as a tackle, which made 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 bleak, but that all changed when starting right guard Teven Jenkins went down with a back injury just before Week 1.
Barber had put forth some impressive reps at right guard late in preseason and this now looks to be 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.
This offensive line was in shambles heading into this offseason, but Fano and Barber have been immediate impact players and are a big reason why Deshaun Watson has shockingly thrived at quarterback. This line has come together smoothly and while you never want to get too excited just a month into somebody’s career, the Browns may have a star on their hands in Austin Barber.
NEXT: Browns 2026 Draft Class Is Quietly Paying Off Big
