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The Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback to begin the 2026 NFL regular season over Shedeur Sanders.
But after one of the least inspiring preseason QB battles in league history, they are bound to have a much better top option in 2027.
Without Myles Garrett on their defense and with plenty of questions surrounding the quarterback position under new offensive-minded coach Todd Monken, the Browns' consensus win total is set at 5.5, just ahead of the two projected worst teams, the Cardinals and Dolphins.
The Browns won't be a good team regardless of how long Watson plays or how much time Sanders gets. That will position them for a high overall draft pick, in addition to the probable late first-round pick they acquired by moving Garrett to the Rams.
Ranking the Browns' potential starting quarterbacks in 2027
Arch Manning
One knows who stands out as the top quarterback prospect when there are many trying to be contrarian about it. Manning should come through on his pedigree and potential with a big season for Texas' offense to put him in position to be taken No. 1 overall like his uncles Peyton and Eli. The Browns will likely need to pick first to land Arch, or at worst second behind a team that already has its franchise QB (Raiders) or needs Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith just as much (Dolphins).
Dante Moore
Should the Cardinals or Jets get No. 1 and be enamored by Arch, the Browns can make a strong pivot to taking the Oregon top prospect who returned to school. to get a little more NFL polish. Moore still remains the biggest threat to jump Manning on the draft board from QB.
Michael Clubb-Imagn Images
C.J. Carr
The Notre Dame QB is generating much Heisman buzz while leading a loaded Irish offense led by receivers Quincy Porter and Jordan Faison. Carr can be had with a top-10 pick should the Browns finish a little better than the bottom five in the league. The Browns last took a Notre Dame QB in the first round, Brady Quinn, at No. 22 overall in 2007.
Drake Lindsey
The Minnesota QB is getting some early hype to shoot up draft boards with his prototypical size (6-5, 230 pounds) and strong arm as a big pocket passer. He also can break into the top 10 or be an option if the Browns trade down from their first pick.
Drew Mestemaker
The Oklahoma State QB is also working on boosting his stock big time. He has many appealing qualities with his efficiency and accuracy to become a real Browns choice later in the first round with the Rams pick.
LaNorris Sellers
Sellers is a dynamic athlete with some tantalizing big-play passing skills. Should Monken, formerly of the Ravens, remain coach, he will see some Lamar Jackson potential in taking Sellers as a late first-rounder.
Mac Jones
Jones played 49ers super-sub last season and, in the copycat league, he could be viewed as another Sam Darnold type to go from San Francisco and have the chance to thrive in multiple offensive schemes. Jones' play behind Brock Purdy should get him a shot elsewhere as a free agent.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Justin Fields
Kyler Murray
Much like Darnold in Minnesota, Murray is expected to benefit greatly from being in Kevin O'Connell's system. The Browns had a chance to put him with Monken but had too much invested in Watson to make such a cheap move yet while also trying to reevaluate Sanders. Murray might use the Vikings to springboard to a more familiar mega contract.
Shedeur Sanders
Don't totally rule out Sanders playing well in relief of Watson as he's matured and developed a considerable amount from his rookie season. Sanders has some qualities that appeal to Monken, but he will need to show confidence and execution so the team wants to take a longer look at him next season.
Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images
Baker Mayfield
The Browns can't ignore the fact that their No. 1 overall pick from 2018 is seemingly having a fallout with the Buccaneers over getting a desired bump in a contract extension. Mayfield didn't leave Cleveland on the best note, being pushed aside for Watson while moving on, after stints with the Panthers and Rams, to becoming a top starter in Tampa Bay.
Mayfield is much wiser and better, and the Browns will have much different leadership than the regime and offensive scheme in which he played. This would be an odd reunion and rather unlikely because of Mayfield's competitiveness and desire to play for a team with bigger winning potential. Minnesota would be more appealing should it not re-sign Murray.
Deshaun Watson
Watson can see his contract voided by the Browns in 2027 for a manageable big dead money hit vs. the salary cap. He's not possible to be released or traded at the moment, as Cleveland will eat too money to the point it has no spending power to improve much next year. It would make sense to wait after Watson's final chance to prove that he at least give them something resembling his price tag. It's more likely Watson won't turn around the boos to the point owner Jimmy Haslam can finally move on from ruing Watson's contract.
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