The Cleveland Browns clearly need a quarterback, but assuming the team will find one in the 2026 NFL draft depends on so many different variables, including which ones declare for this year’s selection process. Quarterback is not the be-all end-all of a successful NFL team, but a vital one for sure.
The Browns probably should have prioritized other positions
in the 2025 NFL draft after passing early in the process.Cleveland is currently slotted with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft order,
as well as the 20th pick being sent over from the Jacksonville Jaguars. NFL mock drafts will continue to focus on three positions for the Browns: Quarterback, offensive tackle, and wide receiver. In ESPN’s latest 2026 NFL mock draft, Matt Miller has Cleveland flipping positions with the New York Giants (giving up two 3rd roudn picks) to get that prized quarterback:
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon*
The Browns’ many attempts to find a franchise quarterback have failed, so it’s back to the drawing board. Moore started five games at UCLA in 2023 before transferring to Oregon and sitting behind Dillon Gabriel — whom he’d actually be replacing here — in 2024. Moore has played with poise and touch this season, completing 72.8% of his passes for 2,190 yards and 21 touchdowns to five interceptions while showing great arm talent.
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.
With the team’s second pick in the first round, Miller has them adding the third offensive tackle off the board, right after WR Carnell Tate was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers:
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah*
After trading up to draft Moore, the Browns could use their next first-round pick to protect him. Lomu, a redshirt sophomore left tackle, has the tools to play multiple positions up front, according to NFL scouts. That positional versatility could come in handy since Cleveland has to face a lot of offseason decisions with its line. The Browns have four offensive linemen set to hit free agency, and they’ve cycled through options at left tackle because of injuries and missed draft picks. Lomu’s athletic tools jump off the tape with his light feet and easy recovery agility. It’s easy to see a path for him to develop in Cleveland, homing in on a skill set that has helped him allow zero sacks and only five pressures this season.
Getting Moore and Lomu in the first round, even if it costs a third-round pick in 2026 and 2027, would be a huge win for Cleveland. The Browns could look to add a wide receiver high in the second round, but Miller’s mock has six off the board in the initial stanza.
How would you feel about the Browns getting Moore and Lomu in ESPN’s latest 2026 NFL mock draft?
