Now that the Browns have moved from Dillon Gabriel to Shedeur Sanders–a decision necessitated by the concussion suffered by Gabriel in Week 11 against the Ravens–the presumption is that Sanders will get, at least, somewhat of a runway to show whether he is deserving of the job moving forward. The debut was something of a disaster–4-for-16 passing, an interception, two sacks–but in fairness, Sanders was thrown into the fire will little preparation.
In sum, however, the Browns’ two attempts at landing a franchise-leading quarterback in last year’s draft, with Gabriel going in the third round and Sanders in the fifth, appear to hold little promise. It’s entirely likely that Cleveland will return to the draft in 2026, armed with two first-round picks, and attempt to bring in the QB1 the franchise has lacked for the better part of three decades.
That means that Sanders’ stay as the Browns starter could be a very limited engagement.
If Not Shedeur Sanders, Then Who?
Now that we’re into the closing act of the college football season, major prognosticators are putting out their early versions of 2026 NFL draft projections, and the Browns are widely assumed to be looking at a quarterback.
It’s not a great draft for quarterbacks, unfortunately, but it could be better if Oregon star Dante Moore–who replaced Gabriel on the Ducks–enters his name. That’s no certainty, but at ESPN, draft guru Matt Miller has Moore keeping his name in and has the Browns trading up with the Giants to secure him.
Miller projects the Browns to give up two third-rounders for the right to slide up and pick Moore.
Getty ImagesCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Browns Could Turn to Dante Moore to Replace Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel
Here’s the outlook on a Browns-Dante Moore marriage, per Miller:
“He isn’t a shoo-in to declare for 2026, given his limited experience (15 starts), but Moore’s penchant for making tough throws from muddy pockets would fit in Cleveland. Moore alone wouldn’t be a quick fix, but matching him with RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. would give the Browns a young, high-energy offense.”
Young is one the key points on Moore, and one of the question marks about him. He is only 20, and won’t be 21 until next May. He has thrown for 2,190 yards this season in 10 games, with 21 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Worth noting is that, in the biggest game of his season–the 30-20 loss the Ducks suffered against Indiana–Moore was 21-for-34 with just 186 yards and two interceptions.
Browns Get QB Whose ‘Toolbox Is Loaded’
Moore is rated the No. 1 prospect by fellow ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., ahead of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, and Kiper notes that Moore would have some “impressive traits” for a team like the Browns.
Writes Kiper: “Moore started five games at UCLA in 2023 before sitting behind Dillon Gabriel in 2024, so he has only 14 career starts to date. Moore is still developing and will be only 20 years old at draft time. But the toolbox is loaded, and he plays with true command of the Ducks’ offense. I see a lot of confidence in Moore’s game; nothing ever seems to faze him.”
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