Browns predicted to abandon Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel for 7,000-yard passer

Following the Deshaun Watson debacle taking its latest ugly turn, the Cleveland Browns are in a year of transition as the team looks to find its quarterback of the future in either Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders or Kenny Pickett.

Veteran Joe Flacco is also in the mix and is probably the favorite to start, but he may not be around more than this year as he enters his age-40 season.

While things don't appear to be going well early on for either Pickett and Gabriel, there has been positive buzz around Sanders, who might be able to make his way up the depth chart after starting out fourth going into OTAs.

That said, it's still early in the process and there is absolutely a scenario where the Browns strike out on all three of the aforementioned young quarterbacks, which would leave the team searching for yet another solution in 2026.

That scenario is something that recently played out in the mock draft of NFL Spin Zone's Sayre Bedinger, who has the Browns taking Clemson signal-caller Cade Klubnik with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

"The Browns need stability at the quarterback position, and while I have absolutely no skin in the game, I would love to see Shedeur Sanders emerge from that situation," he wrote. "Nothing against Dillon Gabriel, of course. But if the Browns are picking 2nd overall next year, it’s likely that the quarterback position is a big reason why. The Browns won’t be able to pass on a stellar quarterback class if they have this kind of opportunity, so they’re going to need to get a clear look at Sanders (and maybe others) in 2025."

Over three years at Clemson, Klubnik has thrown for over 7,000 yards and 57 scores to 18 picks while turning in a completion rate of 63.4% and a passer rating of 136.0. He's also shown the ability to run with the football, as evidenced by his 784 rushing yards and 13 scores on the ground.

Klubnik is coming off his most productive season in 2024, when he completed 63.4% of his passes for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns to six interceptions. Klubnik also posted a career-high 463 rushing yards and another seven touchdowns.

While he might not be the electric playmaker South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers is, Klubnik certainly has plus-mobility to escape pressure and make plays with his legs, a physical tool that will be a huge help in the NFL.

More importantly, Klubnik sports impressive arm talent, and already displays sound throwing mechanics, according to The Draft Network. The Clemson star needs to work on his decision-making under pressure and ball placement, as well as "trusting his progressions," the outlet wrote.

The Browns are headed for another difficult season in terms of their record, but they can still emerge as a winner if they can find their quarterback of the future.

If not, Klubnik could definitely be someone Cleveland turns to at the top of the 2026 NFL draft.