The Cleveland Browns are projected to make one of the more puzzling quarterback decisions of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to Pro Football Focus’ latest mock by NFL analyst Gordon McGuinness and it’s a move that could deepen, not resolve, the team’s ongoing uncertainty under center.
In McGuinness’ projection, the Cleveland Browns use the No. 3 overall pick to keep Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate in-state. While the selection may be viewed as high for a pass catcher, the logic behind it is difficult to ignore.
Cleveland’s receiver room ranks second-worst in the NFL in receiving yards (2,855), ahead of only the New York Jets (2,569). With Jerry Jeudy currently leading the unit, the Browns lack a true No. 1 option or a reliable complementary weapon. That context makes Tate’s projection defensible, even if controversial.
Late First-Round Quarterback Choice Reignites Browns' Controversy
Where the mock draft veers into murkier territory is at quarterback. In this scenario, Cleveland misses out on the top two signal-callers. Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is projected to go No. 1 overall to the Miami Dolphins, followed by Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore at No. 2 to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Given that sequence, a reasonable assumption would be that Cleveland is committing to Shedeur Sanders as its long-term starter and surrounding him with elite talent. Instead, McGuinness projects the Browns to circle back at No. 27, via a pick acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars and select Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson.
“This would be a reach, according to the PFF Big Board,” McGuinness wrote. “But after missing out on [Fernando] Mendoza or [Dante] Moore at the top of the round, the Browns could take a chance on a player like Simpson. The Alabama star produced a 6.2% big-time throw rate and a 2.7% turnover-worthy play rate in 2025, earning an 81.6 PFF passing grade in the process.”
Simpson May Not Be The Man for the Job
Simpson’s statistical resume from this season is solid, 3,500 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 64.1percent completion rate while leading Alabama to the College Football Playoff. But his profile carries risk.
Prior to this season, he had attempted just 50 passes across three years. More concerning, Simpson has trended downward late, failing to eclipse 250 passing yards in four straight games, including Alabama’s first-round playoff win over Oklahoma.
That résumé pales in comparison to Sanders’ college body of work. Across four seasons at Jackson State and Colorado, Sanders completed 70.1% of his passes for 14,353 yards and 134 touchdowns against just 27 interceptions, including a 49-game touchdown pass streak and a record-breaking 2024 season at Colorado.
Yet Sanders, a fifth-round pick, remains in limbo. Since taking over as the Browns’ starter in Week 12, he has thrown for 1,103 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 55.1 percent of his passes.
Adding Simpson to a room that already includes Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson would only intensify the confusionand raise serious questions about Cleveland’s long-term vision at the most important position on the field.