The Opening Drive 11/6: Get Comfortable with the Browns Draft Slot
They won't have the first pick of quarterbacks but that isn't a death sentence.
One topic that keeps coming up around the Browns future is where they will land in the 2026 NFL Draft. There is often a false connection between “having your pick of the quarterbacks” and “settling for one” based on where a team drafts. Well, the results of those quarterbacks selected after their peers, but those near the top of the first round, can have a bit more of a mixed result than some people want to believe.
With my thoughts around this topic I wanted to go through the more recent drafts and look at quarterbacks selected third in the pecking order and feel out what things might look like for the Browns.
* = 2nd QB selected due to only two in the 1st Round
2018: Josh Allen (7)
2019: Dwayne Haskins* (15)
2020: Justin Herbert (6)
2021: Trey Lance (3)
2022: n/a
2023: Anthony Richardson (4)
2024: Drake Maye (3)
2025: Jaxson Dart* (25)
Now, let’s compare those players, obviously missing some of the second quarterback selected in those drafts, with just those selected first overall — or the first quarterback selected. The difference is nowhere near as drastic as fans want to believe.
2018: Baker Mayfield
2019: Kyler Murray
2020: Joe Burrow
2021: Trevor Lawrence
2022: Kenny Pickett (15)
2023: Bryce Young
2024: Caleb Williams
2025: Cam Ward
It’s just clear this is an imperfect science. We all know teams should select who they believe in most and never force the pick. You need conviction in your selection, but there is no reason to believe not having the first pick of the quarterbacks in any given draft will result in imminent doom. More to come on this.
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In the latest ESPN Mock Draft posted yesterday, the Browns are selecting 6th overall due to their two wins (2-6 overall) and that leaves them behind quarterback hungry teams in the Jets and the Saints. In this version you had the Saints going with Fernando Mendoza first overall and then the Jets selecting Ty Simpson third overall. That means we return to today’s topic as the Browns select the third quarterback in the class and go with Dante Moore from Oregon. Here are the notes from those on the panel.
Things will get spicy with that Jacksonville pick and the wide receiver many have hoped would be there round the 20th pick. We are going to need to adjust our expectations for that selection. So much will happen between now and then and we will see more players rise and fall in the process, but this is a good check in for now.
You think Ohio State might have a little talent on that roster? Three of the first five selections from one team is pretty wild to consider. Hope the Browns can find their way to land one of them.
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