Browns predicted to cut ties with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel in favor of No. 1 pick ACC QB superstar

The Cleveland Browns set themselves up to move on quickly at quarterback if they desire that path.

Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are out of contract after the 2025 NFL season. And rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders aren't such huge investments that they can't be discarded eventually.

Good thing, because the 2026 NFL Draft may be loaded with quarterbacks. And between their own first-round pick and Jacksonville's first-rounder, the Browns have a chance to be picking high.

ESPN's latest mock draft projects the Browns to have the No. 1 pick and to use it on Clemson QB Cade Klubnik (Arch Manning stays in school in this mock).

"Spending two picks on quarterbacks in 2025 -- Dillon Gabriel (third round) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth round) -- shouldn't prevent the Browns from looking for a long-term passer here," ESPN's Matt Miller writes. "Klubnik enters the season as my No. 1 QB. In 2024, he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, highlighted by a gutsy performance against Texas in the College Football Playoff (336 passing yards, three TDs, one INT). Klubnik reminds me of Baker Mayfield -- whom Cleveland selected with the No. 1 pick in 2018 -- in terms of arm strength, mobility and playmaking awareness."

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There will be a number of quarterback options in this draft even if Manning doesn't declare.

LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers could also make cases for the No. 1 pick, as could Penn State's Drew Allar.

Klubnik's athleticism and movement skills do remind a lot of Mayfield, like Miller said. Cleveland didn't quite let it work out with Baker before discarding him. Maybe this would give them a mulligan.

The Browns would probably keep one of Sanders or Gabriel around long term, at minimum, although it's hard to see them both staying on the depth chart just to sit behind a No. 1 overall pick.

It remains to be seen which rookie would be discarded quicker. A lot could be determined in August during training camp and preseason games.

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