CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders isn't the long-term plan for Cleveland Browns, who have eyes on the 2026 NFL Draft already

They say if you have more than one "starting" quarterback, then you have none, and that may be the case for the Cleveland Browns.

Shedeur Sanders on the practice field during Cleveland Browns OTAs.
Shedeur Sanders on the practice field during Cleveland Browns OTAs.LAPRESSE

The Cleveland Browns have put themselves in the national spotlight whether they wanted to or not. Shedeur Sanders arriving has brought 24/7 media attention to the franchise. In Cleveland's eyes, they just want to find an answer at quarterback. Deshaun Watson was an incredibly expensive failure. Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco would only be short-term solutions. Sanders or fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel have the opportunity to make some noise, but they have their own flaws, which is why they fell in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Mock drafts for 2026 are already floating around, and the Browns are an intriguing team for those mocks because they are once again expected to pick very high. They also have two first round picks next year, so they will have the opportunity to move up if they need to secure a franchise quarterback. While it's way too early to assume anything, a 2026 mock draft recently surfaced that has Cleveland foregoing any development for Sanders and Gabriel.

Shedeur Sanders impresses with pinpoint throws on Day 1 of Browns OTAs

2026 NFL Mock Draft has Cleveland Browns selecting Drew Allar

Cooper Girolamo of Mike Farrell Sports published his Top 10 mock draft for 2026, and he has the Browns selecting Penn State's Drew Allar with the 2nd overall pick.

Is Shedeur Sanders the answer for the Cleveland Browns at QuarterBack?

"It's pretty clear as of now the Cleveland Browns are not going to be good next year and with their first of two first-round picks, they will be taking their quarterback of the future No. 2 overall with Penn State QB Drew Allar. The Browns likely would have taken Allar second overall this year had he declared for the draft so they would likely sprint to the podium to draft him a year from now. Allar (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) has all of the physical and mental tools to be the league's next Josh Allen."

If Cleveland's front office and head coach Kevin Stefanski see any Josh Allen-type traits in Allar, then it would be a no-brainer for them to select him that high.

With the other first round pick that Cleveland has, Girolamo had them picking Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Drafting Allar and Tyson would have Browns fans over the moon, signaling a completely new era with a talented quarterback and top receiver.

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