As we get closer to 2026 and next year’s NFL Draft, it’s getting more and more clear that the Browns absolutely need to take a quarterback within the first two rounds in April.
Dillon Gabriel has been incredibly
inconsistent and probably won’t amount to much more than a backup in the NFL, and nobody knows what Shedeur Sanders can really do yet. He might end up getting a string of starts to end the season, but even then, Cleveland will most likely want to select another quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here are two quarterbacks in rounds one and two that currently appear to be pretty nice fits for Kevin Stefanski’s offense:
Round 1
Oregon QB Dante Moore
Moore has been the talk of the town behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who Cleveland would love to take, but he’ll most likely be selected No.1 overall, so Moore is probably the next best option. He’s still worthy of a top five or six pick as of right now due to his overall arm talent and athleticism.
His touch and ball placement have taken the college football world by storm in 2025, and it’s incredibly easy to see why so many NFL teams are intrigued by his traits and potential. Though a lot of people believe that he’ll return to Oregon next season, the type of money and fame that come with being a top NFL draft pick might encourage him to declare.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson
Despite being such a highly-rated recruit, Simpson was a relatively unknown commodity to begin the 2025 season. Still, he’s been catching the eyes of NFL Scouts and GMs with his ability to complete incredibly tough throws under pressure for the Crimson Tide. His leadership and composure are what stand out every week against the best defenses in the nation.
The way he’s able to stay calm and poised in a collapsing pocket is second to none, and his accuracy and ball placement while on the move is beautiful to watch. Simpson’s skill set could be a perfect match for Cleveland’s offense, especially with how much pocket movement and play-action that Kevin Stefanski utilizes.
Round 2
USC QB Jayden Maiava
Maiava is someone who’s been slowly growing on NFL talent evaluators, and there’s plenty of reasons why.
He’s incredibly good at throwing on the run while maneuvering around pressure in the pocket, and his deep balls are some of the best in all of college football. At 6’4”, 230 lbs., he has excellent size and athleticism that gives him an advantage over the smaller quarterbacks in the class.
Maiava’s quick release, mental toughness, and overall accuracy have stood out in 2025, and he’s rocketing up NFL Draft boards because of it. Kevin Stefanksi loves “toolsy” quarterbacks, and Maiava’s the epitome of that.
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik
Though he’s been somewhat forgotten in 2025 due to Clemson’s lack of overall success, he’s still been an incredibly efficient passer. He’s completed an average of 75.43% of his passes over his last four games, while throwing 10 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions.
His dual-threat ability has made him a constant threat to teams that stay in man-coverage, and his capacity to fit balls into tight windows in the short to intermediate level of the field has made NFL teams salivate. Though he needs to get better with post-snap rotations at the next level, Klubnik seems like a good day two target alongside Maiava for the Browns if they decide to attack the offensive line and wide receivers on day one.
Who are some of your favorite quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.
