The 2026 NFL Draft is over and the Cleveland Browns are still making moves. Cleveland is bringing in a free agent who fits a role the Browns have been looking to fill.
The Cleveland Browns underwent major roster construction last weekend with 10 players being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland had major needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver, and the Browns filled them with players like Spencer Fano, KC Concepcion, and Denzel Boston.
Cleveland has wasted no time in adding to the roster following the draft by adding a veteran into the mix.
The Browns announced they've signed FB Michael Burton and the writing was on the wall for this one to happen. Burton is entering season No. 11 in his NFL career and fits a role the Browns have been after filling. Cleveland has been interested in a fullback and notably showed interest in former Baltimore Ravens FB Patrick Ricard before he followed John Harbaugh to the New York Giants .
Burton was a fifth-round pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Rutgers. The 6-foot, 240-pound tight end has played in 147 games with six different teams. Burton spent two seasons with the Lions and the Chicago Bears each before he had one-year stays with Washington and New Orleans . In 2021 and 2022, Burton was with the Kansas City Chiefs , then the last two seasons with the Denver Broncos .
Since it's a role the Browns have been liking to fill all offseason, it seems like you can probably pencil Burton in for a roster spot. From there, it would be interesting to see if the Browns kept four tight ends with Harold Fannin Jr. and fifth-round rookie Joe Royer as the only ones I'd pencil in as locks to be on the 53-man roster. Jack Stoll is a veteran blocking tight end, and Carsen Ryan is the seventh-round pick from BYU who will be pushing for a roster spot.
With phase two of voluntary OTAs this week, we'll see if Burton is with the team, as the Browns have a new veteran addition.
