Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns could be on the lookout for a QB high in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation is, frankly, a mess.
Joe Flacco probably isn’t an answer beyond 2025 and it’s unlikely that Kenny Pickett will be the long-term answer for the Browns either.
Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders each have the chance to emerge as “The Guy” for the future, though each also has warts.
Gabriel is old (for a rookie), undersized, and left-handed. On the flip side, he’s experienced and his projectable stats at Oregon compared very well with the likes of Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, and Cam Ward as college prospects.
Sanders also has mediocre traits, brings the kind of spotlight that can be a distraction, and won’t have Travis Hunter to throw to. That said, he was also remarkably efficient and can deliver an accurate and catchable pass.
The long-term vision is murky to say the least. And despite the Browns taking two quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, they might be looking at the position in the first round of the 2026 draft.
With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at five quarterbacks who could be “The Guy” for the Browns.
2025 status: Red-shirt sophomore
Leavitt is undersized, listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, but his arm strength and movement skills are better than average.
He plays with great competitive toughness, with the willingness to hang in the pocket and take hits to give his receivers time to get open. Leavitt only completed 61.7 percent of his passes last year, but that belies the ability to throw with solid accuracy and anticipation. He’s a generally efficient quarterback who had 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions (at least one of which was tipped at the line of scrimmage).
This year will be big for him, as he only attempted 23 passes across four games before redshirting in 2023, and attempted 350 passes last year. Leavitt has room to grow and address any lingering size concerns, and he could be a steady riser this year if he builds on the foundation he laid down last year.
2025 status: Junior
Mendoza is transferring from Cal to Indiana for the 2025 season. He sports an NFL-ready frame and is listed at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, and while he doesn’t have great quickness as an athlete, he does have a quick release and strong arm.
He has enough arm strength to access the deeper areas of the field, as well as a quick-enough release to beat coverage in the underneath area of the field. Mendoza is an accurate passer who’s willing to attack deep but doesn’t put the ball in danger often.
Mendoza wasn’t a factor in Cal’s running game, averaging just 1.2 yards per carry for 105 yards. Considering he lacks great quickness and agility, that might be unlikely to change at Indiana.
2025 status: Senior
Drew Allar is going...
