South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ NFL draft stock is already soaring in early mock projections. Sellers is predicted to be among the first quarterbacks selected in the 2026 NFL draft. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Sellers has the size NFL teams covet.
Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling has the Cleveland Browns selecting Sellers with the No. 2 pick in his early 2026 NFL mock draft. It is early, but Sellers has a chance to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
Josh Pate is IN on the South Carolina QB 📈
@heykayadams | @JoshPateCFB | #FuturesDay | @LanorriSellers“There are multiple quarterbacks who could ultimately make the leap into this spot with a stellar 2025 season, but if we’re talking upside and traits, my money’s on Sellers,” Easterling wrote in a July 28, mock draft. “He’s got the size, athleticism, arm talent and playmaking ability to be special at the next level.”
Here’s what you need to know about Sellers’ NFL draft stock.
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers Could Replace Browns Star Deshaun Watson
The Browns selecting yet another quarterback would be quite a storyline. Cleveland selected Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but neither rookie may be the team’s long-term solution.
Deshaun Watson is recovering from an Achilles injury, and his tenure with the Browns has gone about as bad as possible. Cleveland signed Watson to fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract that is slated to run through the 2026 season.
LaNorris Sellers’ NFL Draft Stock: South Carolina QB Has a Chance To Be the No. 1 Pick
ESPN’s Field Yates also projects Sellers will be the No. 2 pick, but has the New York Jets trading up for the quarterback. It is worth noting both NFL mock drafts have Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the No. 1 pick.
After Manning’s poor showing versus Ohio State in Week 1, the star has some work to do in order to solidify himself as a top NFL draft pick. Yates sees “shades of Josh Allen” in Sellers’ game.
A bottom-five record this season — which would be the case if the order plays out like this — would mean Justin Fields isn’t a lock to start in 2026,” Yates detailed in an August 20, mock draft. “This would be an opportunity to get a franchise QB. Sellers is a huge and powerful thrower who made massive strides in his game in 2024. His escapability from pressure in the pocket is a true X factor; some plays on his tape show shades of Josh Allen.
“His best moments are jaw-dropping, and his overall mobility is superb. Sellers threw the football much better in the second half of last season, too, finishing with 18 TD passes and seven INTs. Continued improvement on his ball placement will put him in top pick consideration.”
LaNorris Sellers Is Drawing NFL Comparisons to Josh Allen & Cam Newton
👀TheMcShayShow: 📺| t.co/ztvDQ552TD
Sellers threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 12 appearances during the 2024 season. One of Sellers’ biggest assets is his rushing ability as the star added 674 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Heading into the college football season, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has Sellers as his No. 2 ranked quarterback. Brugler emphasized that Sellers is not a “one-dimensional quarterback” with the ability to hurt opposing defenses with more than just his legs.
He is still figuring out several areas as a passer,” Brugler explained in an August 19, story titled, “Dane Brugler’s 2026 NFL Draft summer positional rankings: Quarterbacks.” “However, Sellers (who just turned 20 this summer) is composed and smart, with striking physical gifts. There are numerous highlights from the 2024 season when he looks like vintage Cam Newton with his Houdini-like acts to escape trouble.
“Though understandably raw, Sellers has put examples on film of him winning in structure and from the pocket. Hopefully, another year of maturation and better pass protection will increase the frequency of those moments. If Sellers takes another step in his development as a passer, plenty of teams will be buyers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
LaNorris Sellers Predicted to Replace $230 Million Star QB in NFL Draft