The Cleveland Browns currently have five quarterbacks on the roster with Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders.
Well, one recent 2026 NFL mock draft from ESPN would spell bad news for Sanders and the other quarterbacks on the roster for next season.
Browns Select Clemson QB Cade Klubnik in 2026 NFL Mock Draft From ESPN
If the 2026 NFL mock draft that ESPN’s Matt Miller dropped on Monday comes to true, then the Browns selection of Clemson QB Cade Klubnik would be the nail in the coffin for Shedeur Sanders potential starting future in Cleveland.
Miller wrote, “Spending two picks on quarterbacks in 2025 — Dillon Gabriel (third round) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth round) — shouldn’t prevent the Browns from looking for a long-term passer here. Klubnik enters the season as my No. 1 QB. In 2024, he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, highlighted by a gutsy performance against Texas in the College Football Playoff (336 passing yards, three TDs, one INT). Klubnik reminds me of Baker Mayfield — whom Cleveland selected with the No. 1 pick in 2018 — in terms of arm strength, mobility and playmaking awareness.”
Ironically enough, Sanders found himself being mocked at No. 1 overall by various outlets at this same exact point last season.
If the Browns finished with the worst record in the league this season and secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, that would mean Sanders and the other quarterbacks on the roster likely didn’t have much success under center in 2025.
If the Browns drafted a quarterback at No. 1 overall, that would mean the organization is sending a loud and clear message that the quarterbacks currently on the roster aren’t what the coaching staff is looking to build around moving forward — which obviously wouldn’t bode well for Sanders.
Browns Mocked to Spend 2026 1st From Jacksonville on Utah OT Caleb Lomu
In this mock draft scenario, the Browns are also picking at No. 12 overall because of the trade back to the fifth overall pick in last year’s draft courtesy of the Jaguars aggressive move up to select Travis Hunter.
Miller saw the Browns taking talented Utah OT prospect Caleb Lomu to help protect Klubnik for years to come.
Miller wrote, “With right tackle Jack Conklin slowing down and unproven Dawand Jones set to start at left tackle, it was a bit surprising that the Browns punted on the position in the 2025 draft. But 2026 looks deeper in true left tackle prospects, and Lomu is a player with considerable growth potential. He performed well as a redshirt freshman, allowing three sacks and committing one penalty. Lomu should break out further in 2025, with his easy movement ability in the run game and quick reaction time in pass protection. While Lomu isn’t currently OT1, he has top-five potential if he expands on what he showed last season.”
The idea of the Browns drafting a quarterback and left tackle at this exact moment is a bit difficult to wrap your mind around without knowing how Sanders, Gabriel, or any of the other quarterbacks on the Browns perform this year, but it certainly feels within the range of outcomes if Cleveland has another rough season in 2025.
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