Browns can eye Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers at 2026 NFL draft if Arch Manning stays at Texas

The Cleveland Browns have been oft-connected to Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, but Yahoo Sports’ Jason Owens doesn’t sound convinced the franchise would go after the supposed next great Manning under center, even if he does declare for the 2026 NFL draft.

Instead, Owens believes the Browns can consider the Clemson Tigers’ Cade Klubnik or the South Carolina Gamecocks’ LaNorris Sellers if Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders prove incapable of taking the QB1 reins.

“But in the instance that neither (Shedeur or Gabriel is ready to be QB1), the tank in Cleveland could certainly be on sooner than later once the season starts. And Manning won't be the only quarterback worth targeting,” Owens wrote.

“Clemson's Cade Klubnik or South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers could also emerge as top-pick candidates, whether Manning ends up declaring or not. And if Gabriel and Sanders don't hit, the priority in Cleveland — as it has been for most of the team's existence — will be to finally find that elusive franchise quarterback.”

While owner Jimmy Haslam knows Peyton Manning personally as a fellow Tennessean, as Owens points out, there’s only dot-connecting happening from fans.

Let’s say Haslam’s connection to the Manning family does mean something. Haslam will have then shared intel on Tuesday that Arch isn’t declaring for the NFL draft until 2027, adding that it “wasn’t worth discussing.”

“I don’t know Arch at all. I bet he stays in college two more years. I don’t even think that’s worth discussing,” Haslam said.

Maybe Arch isn’t worth discussing, but if Gabriel and Sanders don’t prove to be ready, Clubnik and Sellers could be.