Draft expert explains why Browns are a perfect fit for Indiana's Fernando Mendoza

Charlie Baduini

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Draft expert explains why Browns are a perfect fit for Indiana's Fernando Mendoza image

Draft expert Dane Brugler projected the Cleveland Browns to select Fernando Mendoza in the 2026 NFL Draft, predicting they would trade up to No. 1 overall with the Tennessee Titans to do it.

Thanks to the Travis Hunter trade in the 2025 draft, the Browns have an excess of resources to move up and down the board as they please, and Cleveland should be able to get their pick of the litter when it comes to quarterbacks.

But why Mendoza? Is the University of Indiana quarterback such a good fit for the Browns that they should be as aggressive as Brugler predicts them to be?

Dane Brugler explains why Fernando Mendoza is a match made in heaven for Cleveland

In an appearance on Cleveland's 92.3 The Fan, Brugler explained why he thinks Cleveland will fall in love with Mendoza throughout the pre-draft process.

"I think we'll see about any possible regime change, but of all the reasons they love Dillon Gabriel throughout the process, that's why I think they're going to like Fernando Mendoza as well, except Mendoza has better physical traits and better upside than Dillon Gabriel has," Brugler told Ken Carman and Anthony Lima.

"So that's why I went with Mendoza at one. I think it fits what the Browns could be looking for. But I don't think it's a clear-cut he's quarterback one."

Depending on how the rest of the year may shake out for Kevin Stefanski and the rest of Cleveland's brass, the scheme fit may not matter as much come 2026.

But in the meantime, while Mendoza continues to get Kirk Cousins comparisons, he'll be connected to Stefanski who saw great success during their shared time with the Minnesota Vikings.

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Editorial Team