Browns’ Arch Manning pursuit is alive and well for 2026 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns have officially put their hand on the table.

Friday night's third-round pick of Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel doesn't change things, either.

The Browns had a chance to take Shedeur Sanders on multiple occasions. They could've swung a trade for Jaxson Dart. They even could've gone for Louisville's Tyler Shough or Alabama's Jalen Milroe.

Instead, they passed on all the quarterbacks with a solid likelihood of turning into NFL starters. Gabriel could surprise, but he might wind up looking like one of the biggest reaches in the entire draft.

The Browns have instead cleared the runway for the 2026 NFL Draft. They're going to make a run at Arch Manning.

The Texas QB and nephew of Peyton and Eli could actually stay in school until the 2027 draft, but if he comes out, he'll likely be in the running for the top pick.

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Cleveland already signaled its intent here on Thursday when they opted to move down from the right to draft Travis Hunter and in the deal got the Jaguars' 2026 first-round pick.

So there are now multiple paths to the top slot in 2026, if indeed that's where Manning will go.

Cleveland could stink enough on its own to get there, a real possibility if Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco or Gabriel are starting at QB.

The Jaguars could continue to be the Jaguars and help out Cleveland by making the Jacksonville pick that bad.

Or, if those picks both fall just outside the top slot, maybe moving both in a massive trade would be enough to get No. 1.

Other QBs will surely emerge between now and then, too. But as long as Manning has an expected solid season at Texas, his traits, pedigree and last name will make him the favorite to go first.

The Browns seem to be planning on meeting Manning at the top of the draft board. 

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