It would be a very Browns thing, of course, if the team keeps losing here in its final three games of the season–with the Bills and Steelers at home followed by the Bengals on the road, that’s very possible–and still finds that, even with a Top 4 draft pick, there is no sure bet quarterback of the future available. The Browns have Shedeur Sanders running the show now, and while he has had some moments, he’s no sure bet as the 2026 starter.
But the draft next April is expected to be especially weak at quarterback. Despite having two first-round picks this year and a prime opportunity to address the position that has vexed the organization for a full generation, the offensive roster is so full of holes that the Browns might be better off passing on a quarterback altogether and instead focusing on adding a much-needed top-tier receiver and/or offensive linemen.
It would help if Sanders would lock down the job in the coming three weeks, but given the current state of the offense–especially after the 31-3 pummeling from the Bears in Week 15–that’s almost certainly not happening.
Browns Will Have Shedeur Sanders in the QB Mix
So expect a familiar dance in three months, when free agency begins and the draft watch is on high–the Browns will likely have Sanders, sign a marginal veteran, check on Deshaun Watson’s health and perhaps draft a Day 2 quarterback.
But the good news is, the Browns can really attack positions of need with the 11 picks they’ve gathered heading into 2026. Wide receiver is a major need, and with five or six players projected as first-rounders by most experts, the Browns are in position to strike. While the aforementioned experts disagree on which receivers will land in the first round, all appear to agree that the first one off the board will be Arizona State star Jordyn Tyson.
And he could be bound for the Browns.
Shedeur Sanders or Not, Better Weapons Needed
That’s according to the latest mock draft from Pro Football Focus, which has the Browns picking at No. 4 and 28, and doing the smart thing: Taking a receiver and an offensive lineman. That would be Dyson and Iowa’s offensive tackle Gennings Dunker.
Writes PFF: “It remains unclear whether Shedeur Sanders is the long-term answer at quarterback for the Browns, but one thing is certain: Cleveland must upgrade its supporting cast on offense. The Browns currently rank last in the NFL in both receiving grade and pass-blocking grade.
“They address one of those issues here by selecting Tyson. The redshirt junior has earned 80.0-plus PFF grades in back-to-back seasons and brings the well-rounded skill set needed to develop into a true No. 1 wide receiver at the NFL level.”
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
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Jaguars Streak Costing Browns
While there is no doubt the team should welcome a poor finish to improve its draft position, even if it means a second straight 3-14 season, the Browns’ second pick is going the wrong way. That’s because the Jacksonville Jaguars have not fallen apart the way they have in past seasons. After a stretch of three losses in four games, the Jags have won five straight.
That’s dropped their draft position all the way down to No. 28. The Browns own their first-round pick in 2026 as a result of last April’s draft-day trade that saw the Browns move back from No. 2 to No. 5.
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