Pundits have already begun arguing whether Shedeur Sanders will start for the Cleveland Browns next season.
Given Sanders’s ability to create headlines, and the years of drama around some of his competition, Deshaun Watson, it’s not a surprising debate. But it’s premature to have it considering what the Browns could still add in the 2026 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed a scenario Monday where Cleveland acquired the No. 32 overall pick. With the final selection of the first round, Barnwell then predicted the Browns to draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
“Though Schneider would also miss out on the fifth-year option at No. 32, the Seahawks would pick up an extra third-round pick and restore that fifth-round selection by moving down seven spots here,” Barnwell wrote. “The Browns would pick up the phone, and this could be to land Ty Simpson (or the quarterback of their choice). The Jets and Cardinals pick at Nos. 33 and 34, respectively, and could draft Simpson if he’s still on the board at the start of Day 2.
“Taking Simpson at this point of the draft also wouldn’t preclude the Browns from drafting a quarterback in 2027 if they’re not in love with what they see from the former Alabama QB as a rookie.”
Pundits are split on Simpson as an NFL draft prospect. But because of a weak quarterback class, most analysts predict the Alabama signal-caller to go off the board in the first round.
During a recent radio appearance, Cleveland.com’s Mark Kay Cabot actually encouraged the Browns to consider Simpson at No. 6 overall.
Obviously, such a move would give Sanders, who pundits called a first-round 2025 prospect but the Browns drafted in the fifth round last year, additional competition behind center.
Could Browns Move Up for Alabama QB Ty Simpson?
GettyESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed the Cleveland Browns move back into the first round to draft Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
Barnwell pitched several 2026 NFL first-round trade possibilities Monday. In the first two scenarios, Barnwell suggested the Browns could move back from either No. 12 or No. 24 overall.
Cleveland has both the No. 6 and 24 selections because of the first-round trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year.
In the final proposal, the ESPN analyst pitched Cleveland send the Seattle Seahawks a second-rounder, third-round pick and fifth-round selection. In return, the Browns received the No. 32 pick.
With the scenario, Barnwell assumed Simpson fell to No. 32 overall.
The Browns could very well take Simpson if he falls to No. 24 overall. But in the trade up, Cleveland still got the quarterback with a fifth-year option.
With the trade, Cleveland would have three first-round picks. The Browns previously had three first-round picks in the 2017 NFL Draft. During that draft, they selected defensive end Myles Garrett, safety Jabrill Peppers and tight end David Njoku.
In Barnwell’s scenario, the Browns could address two other needs while landing a new quarterback late in the first round.
Assuming the Crimson Tide signal-caller is still on the board, a trade up to No. 32 would make a lot of sense for Cleveland.
Will Shedeur Sanders Start for Cleveland in 2026?
GettyESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed the Cleveland Browns add quarterback competition for Shedeur Sanders after a trade back into the first round.
Barnwell made no mention of Sanders while he proposed Cleveland trading up for Simpson at No. 32 overall. But clearly, the indications of such a move would have Simpson compete with Sanders, Watson and/or Dillon Gabriel.
The Browns drafting a quarterback would give the team four signal-callers on the offseason roster. That’s not typical, but it’s exactly what Cleveland had last year after they picked Sanders and Gabriel in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Eventually, the Browns traded Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
If the Browns like Simpson, it makes the most sense to target him at No. 6 or 24 overall to guarantee getting him. However, waiting on the quarterback would give the team more flexibility.
It’s hard to call a first-rounder pick a “flier” but in a way, that’s what Simpson would be for Cleveland. The Alabama quarterback could push Sanders and others through competition during the 2026 season.
If Simpson earns the starting job, then the Browns could have a long-term solution answer behind center. Should he not, the Browns have other starting options to potentially develop in Sanders and/or Gabriel.
If no one emerges as a potential franchise quarterback, the Browns will have their 2027 draft capital to address the position again next year.
Browns Could Get Shedeur Sanders Competition With 1st Round NFL Draft Trade