When the Browns take the field against the Jaguars on Sept. 13, they will be starting five new offensive linemen, each of whom were added during the offseason.
Austin Barber is one of those offseason additions and will start at right guard for the Browns in Week 1, head coach Todd Monken announced on Friday. G Teven Jenkins — who took the majority of the first team reps at right guard during the latter portion of training camp and at practice — was ruled out for Week 1 with a back injury, paving the way for Barber's first start.
"It's exciting," Barber said. "Being a rookie, when that time comes, you got to be ready."
Barber, who Cleveland selected with the 86th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, joins ninth overall pick T Spencer Fano as the second rookie starting on the Browns' revamped offensive line. Alongside Barber and Fano will be free agent signings C/G Elgton Jenkins and G Zion Johnson. T Tytus Howard, who was acquired in March in a trade with the Texans, rounds out the Browns' overhauled unit.
Barber has stayed ready throughout training camp while navigating a switch from tackle over to guard, a position he hadn't played before. Prior to the NFL while at the University of Florida, Barber exclusively played tackle outside a handful of practice reps. During his redshirt freshman season, he played at right tackle. From his sophomore year through his senior season, Barber was at left tackle.
But over midway into training camp, the Browns moved Barber to right guard, where he took most of his reps with the second team during practice and in the preseason. After playing right tackle against the Bears in Cleveland's first preseason game, Barber moved to right guard for the Browns' next two matchups against the Bills and Patriots.
"I've been playing guard for a month now, so getting comfortable and feeling good," Barber said. "I'm just excited to get out there and go play."
The Browns' coaching staff is confident with Barber at right guard. Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer has noticed the way that Barber has practiced and complimented the rookie's mentality and versatility.
"His development's been impressive," Switzer said. "It's hard enough for a rookie to come in and play, let alone when he's been at multiple spots. It's all about the approach and the way he goes about it. I mean he's wired the right way. He's a very diligent guy, he's very tough. So, we're excited about him and his development."
While navigating his first NFL training camp and his position switch on the offensive line, Barber has leaned on the Browns' veterans. Johnson has specifically helped Barber with understanding how to recover properly, including talking with the rookie about using the cold tubs, training room and Normatec leg compression system to his advantage.
"He's the ultimate pro," Barber said about Johnson. "He's someone that you want to look up to when you're a young guy. He does stuff the right way. You see what he does for his body and what he does in his off time, and you want to lean on that. You want to replicate that because he does it the right way."
Johnson isn't the only veteran on the Browns' offensive line that has taken Barber under their wing. Howard, who will start at right tackle, has also helped Barber with his transition.
"Me and Tytus have a great relationship," Barber said. "He was helping me out a lot, and he continues to help me out a lot to this day. I'm grateful for him, to have him on my side. I can ask him anything and he'll let me know and he's just a great vet."
When Barber runs out of the tunnel for his first NFL regular season game against the Jaguars, as the Browns' starting right guard, he will have a lot of support playing in his hometown of Jacksonville.
"A lot of family is going to be there for sure," Barber said. "Especially (being) from Jacksonville, (for) my first game either way if I was starting or not, they were going to be there. So (I) was excited to tell them the news."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Austin Barber (58) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) and the linebackers during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Pass Game Coordinator Ephraim Banda during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback D'Angelo Ross (37) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Carsen Ryan (48) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Line Coach George Warhop during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Chris Williams (61) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bub Means (81) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Analyst Shaq Wilson during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg and Senior Defensive Assistant Dom Capers during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (60) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Zion Logue (69) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Zion Logue (69) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Williams (54) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Messiah Swinson (84) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (60) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bub Means (81) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Bobby Johnson during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Assistant/Assistant Linebackers Coach Zach Dunn during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bub Means (81) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
