Browns Predicted to Quickly Replace Shedeur Sanders With 36 Touchdown Youngster

If the season unfolds as many expect for the Cleveland Browns, there’s a chance the team will have the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If that happens, the Browns will have to hope that Arch Manning decides to enter the professional ranks. 

Whether Manning enters the draft or not remains to be seen, but many are expecting him not to, including Pro Football Network, which recently predicted that the Browns would have the top pick but not have the opportunity to select Manning. Instead, they had the Browns going with Cade Klubnik out of Clemson. 

“Cade Klubnik made considerable strides in 2024. He’s an accurate passer with good poise in the pocket and underrated mobility. His consistency, rhythm, and decision-making all give him a high floor and project him as a potential long-term starter in the NFL.

“Although the Cleveland Browns drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in 2025, neither came with the kind of draft capital that typically signals a long-term commitment. If Cleveland finishes with the league’s worst record, they’d be smart to take a swing at a true franchise QB,” they wrote.

Will Arch Manning Be an Option in 2026?

There are several reasons why the Cleveland Browns may not have the opportunity to draft Manning. According to Pro Football Network, Manning is earning a substantial amount of money at Texas, and his lack of starting experience in college could be a concern for teams considering him with the first pick. However, for the Browns, that shouldn’t be too big of an issue if they have No. 1 and he wants to leave. 

“As the highest-paid collegiate athlete in NIL valuations, Manning makes a lot of money at Texas. His projected NIL deal isn’t as substantial as the one a No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft would receive, but with 2025 being his first year as a starter, teams may be deterred by Manning’s inexperience to select him at No. 1,” they wrote.

Klubnik’s Fit in the NFL

Regarding what Klubnik could do for the Cleveland Browns, it’s tough to ignore the possible strengths that he has. However, according to ESPN, there are some worries about him as a player. 

“Scouts around the league I’ve talked to have raised concerns about Klubnik’s arm strength and whether he can build on his 2024 success. Questions about his arm surface when he’s forced to test tight windows in underneath coverage and with his inconsistent trajectory on deep passes. Klubnik averaged only 8.56 air yards per passing attempt in 2024, ranking 58th in the FBS. He must be more assertive and willing to challenge coverage in intermediate and deep areas,” ESPN wrote.

Despite those worries, it’s safe to say that he’d be one of the top three quarterbacks in next year’s draft class, if things go as planned. 

The Austin, Texas native, would be an excellent addition for the Browns. He’s coming off his junior season, where he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and six interceptions. 

If the Browns don’t have anything with Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel, selecting another quarterback in the first round might be the better plan. However, they have to make sure Sanders and Gabriel at least get a chance.