The Cleveland Browns are widely expected to use an early pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback.
Cleveland could have a top-five pick, and the Browns also have the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ first-round pick, which they can use to trade up to select a quarterback. However, it appears the Browns may not be able to find their franchise quarterback in the draft.
Multiple high-ranking NFL executives spoke to The Athletic, and none were impressed by the quarterbacks that will likely be picked early in 2026.
“Nobody is playing the position well enough to be like, ‘That dude can take over my franchise,’” said an NFL team executive who was granted anonymity so he could speak openly.
Another executive, meanwhile, said their team didn’t love any of the top quarterback prospects as a future franchise guy.
“I don’t love any of (the quarterbacks) right now,” a second executive said. “We’re trying to grasp onto somebody because there isn’t anybody, and it’s such a flavor of the week. Good luck right now.”
A third NFL executive continued the bad news for the Browns, as they said the quarterback class is not a good one.
“Overall, we were hoping it was going to be better than last year,” a third executive said. “There was a hangover from such a good class two years ago. There were more projected (quarterbacks) coming into this year, but the expectations of the higher-end players never really materialized. Some of the younger guys are leaning toward going back because they haven’t played well and are making the NIL money.”
The top quarterbacks available are Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, LaNorris Sellers, and Dante Moore.
Browns Likely to Take a Quarterback in 2026
Cleveland has been using Dillon Gabriel at quarterback, but he doesn’t appear to be the long-term answer.
With that, all signs point to the Browns taking a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft to be their franchise guy.
Although Cleveland is expected to take a quarterback, Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic doesn’t think general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski should make the pick.
“This team is back in the quarterback derby next year based on how things stand now. What that means for temporary starter Dillon Gabriel and Sanders is as uncertain as who will be making the selection,” Jackson wrote.
“Because absolutely zero about this current group’s quarterback track record says they should get to make the next pick. That’s true even if I’m right about Sanders eventually being a starting-quality player. I don’t yet know if I’m right about that. And the more I watch this offense trudge its way around, I’m not quite sure what anyone involved knows about anything.”
Whether or not the Browns will keep Berry and Stefanski to develop their next quarterback is to be seen.
Cleveland Expected to Draft Mendoza
The Browns will likely take one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tim Bielik of Cleveland.com predicted the Browns will take Mendoza from Indiana to be their franchise quarterback.
“Mendoza right now is QB1 and his game-winning drive at Penn State on Saturday only solidified that standing. He has just about everything a quarterback needs except for an elite deep ball. Mendoza has taken the next step as a quarterback under Curt Cignetti. (He) looks like the type of QB who could turn a team like the Browns back around quickly.”
Mendoza is 181-of-254 for 2,342 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions this season at Indiana.
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