When most think about the future of the Cleveland Browns, QB Shedeur Sanders is the first name that pops up. No one really knows what the future holds for the popular quarterback who fell to the fifth round and is still fighting for the backup spot with the Browns as a rookie. While QB Dillon Gabriel was drafted two rounds earlier, Sanders still gets most of the attention.
After Sanders, the future in Cleveland is often focused on the team having two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft. Similar
to Sanders, QB Arch Manning is the big name in college, but, unlike Sanders, has not proven much so far in his college career. So much so that many NFL mock drafts have not had him listed, especially after Manning’s grandpa said he’s staying in school another year.
Manning, for his part, all but summoned Lee Corso with a ‘not so fast, my friend’ response to his grandfather:
Given that response, it is not a surprise that ESPN’s latest 2026 NFL mock draft has Manning going at the top, to the Browns:
Manning has a very good build, throws with accuracy to all levels of the field and shows solid movement traits. He’s a different QB than his uncles Peyton and Eli were in that he is a threat with his legs. He is inexperienced and needs to add more weight to his 6-foot-4 frame, but it’s easy to see his immense ceiling. I know the Browns just drafted two passers this year, but if they are picking first overall next year, then yes, they’ll be taking a quarterback.
Having two big names like Sanders and Manning on the roster would certainly bring a lot of eyeballs, but, given what would be a huge difference in draft position, Manning would be the future in Cleveland.
Field Yates, author of the mock draft, has the Browns adding a top tackle with the selection acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars. In this version, the Jags pick is number 12 overall:
Austin Barber, OT, Florida
We got a new QB for the Browns at No. 1 in this mock draft. Now, they have to improve the protection with their other pick, courtesy of the Jaguars via the Travis Hunter trade. Insert Barber, who has excellent length and extensive experience as both a right and left tackle. Barber can really bend and pass protect, something he’ll do at a high-stakes level this season in manning the blind side for 2027 QB prospect DJ Lagway. He allowed three sacks last season over 13 starts. The Browns need to get younger along the offensive line; they allowed 66 sacks last season, second most in the league.
Barber is a 6’6” tackle with good length and athleticism, going into his fifth season with the Florida Gators with 38 games of experience.
Do you think Arch Manning will come out in this year’s draft? Could which team has the first pick change his mind? Overall, how do you feel about the QB/OT combo in this mock draft?
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