Despite drafting Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, Browns predicted to switch attention to generational QB

If there’s one NFL franchise that continues to raise questions year after year, it’s undoubtedly the Cleveland Browns. Seasons go by, drafts come and go, and despite efforts to build a roster with serious title aspirations, long-term success remains elusive. This time around, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel arrived as new quarterbacks out of college, but their future with the team — both in the medium and long term — appears far from guaranteed.

But how is it that two of the top recent prospects in college football, both just drafted by the Browns, might not be part of the team’s long-term plans? Two key factors stand out: the overcrowded QB room and the growing buzz around a particular player who has caught the attention of several scouts across the college landscape.

Kevin Stefanski and the front office want to look beyond just this season, and the Browns may already have their sights set on what’s coming next. While there’s confidence within the organization about making a strong run this year, some believe the team may have already identified their next field general in the upcoming draft.

Who’s on the Browns’ radar?

While there’s still a long way to go, many are already predicting that Cleveland will land the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. That points to just one thing: the Browns may be ready to go after another quarterback — the crown jewel of this generation — Arch Manning.

Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Arizona State Sun Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

According to Pro Football Network’s Brentley Weissman, the historic AFC North franchise may be already targeting the Longhorns’ star if they do in fact secure the No. 1 overall pick at the end of the season.

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It’s Shedeur Sanders’ time: Why Kevin Stefanski and the Browns should stop looking elsewhere

“Texas quarterback Arch Manning could end up the consensus No. 1 pick sooner rather than later. Despite limited playing time, Manning possesses all the necessary attributes to become a transformative franchise quarterback,” he wrote.

An overcrowded QB room this season

The gamble on Deshaun Watson has undoubtedly been a tough setback for the franchise. Poor performances, combined with the serious injury he suffered last season, have led the team to bring in four new players at the quarterback position in recent weeks.

Veteran Joe Flacco arrived alongside Kenny Pickett as potential starters, but the decision to draft both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel has cast doubt over what Kevin Stefanski’s final call will be at the quarterback position.

It will be a matter of watching how the weeks unfold to see what decision the head coach and his coaching staff make regarding who will take the reins starting Week 1, knowing full well that no one’s starting spot is guaranteed.