Browns Predicted to Draft NFL Legacy in 2026 First Round
The Cleveland Browns are sure to find their franchise quarterback this offseason, right?
General manager Andrew Berry gave himself all the options. Two veterans in 40-year-old Joe Flacco and 27-year-old Kenny Pickett, along with two rookies taken in this year's NFL draft, third-rounder Dillon Gabriel and fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders.
Flacco even had success with the Browns and the offensive system run by head coach Kevin Stefanski back in 2023. Flacco went 4-1 and led Cleveland to a playoff berth while subbing for a number of injured quarterbacks in front of him.
But that was then, and this is now.
Not all are sold on one of the four in camp being the long-term solution under center for the Browns, and Pro Football Network offered its way-too-early 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
PFN thinks the Browns will not only earn the No. 1 overall pick next year, but will draft yet another quarterback.
"There will be debate over whether Arch Manning will enter the 2026 NFL Draft right up until the deadline next January," PFSN wrote. "While all signs and priors point towards the Texas Longhorns' quarterback returning, there is a possibility that he will declare, especially if he is likely to be the No. 1 overall selection. This may only be Manning's first year as a starter, but the hype is real. There is enough tape to hint that the five-star recruit has all the intangibles and dynamic play to potentially be the top quarterback in next year's class.
"The 6-4, 212-pound quarterback is a more high-powered passer than his uncles, adding a potent rushing threat they didn't have. On top of his 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions, Manning has an adjusted yards after contact on rushes of 8.59, adding 1.04 EPA per scramble."
There are two things in play here.
First, if the Browns are bad enough to earn the No. 1 overall pick in 2026, look for sweeping changes across the coaching staff and front office. Stefanski and Berry are likely gone.
Second, it would solidify the Browns as a laughing stock in the league if they fail to produce a quarterback with either of the 2025 draft picks in Gabriel and Sanders.
But there's no question that when Manning elects to enter the draft, he'll be the first pick.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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