The NFL‘s 2026 draft already has some compelling narratives brewing. One mock draft from Pro Football Network projects that theCleveland Browns will finish with the worst record and thus secure the No. 1 pick.
This mock draft also predicts that the Browns won’t take Texas phenom Arch Manning, as widely expected, but instead pivot toward Clemson‘s talented young quarterback, Cade Klubnik.
Max Dorsey, writing for PFSN, reasons that Klubnik‘s well-rounded skill set, leadership, and production make him a more polished and immediate NFL prospect than Manning.
Klubnik, at 6’2″ and 205 pounds, might be modest in size, but he possesses the arm strength to “make every throw on the field.” Dorsey adds that the QB “is a creative mover in the pocket and makes things happen out of structure”.
Klubnik‘s 2024 numbers back up the scouting praise: 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions, plus 642 rushing yards and seven more scores on the ground. He joined an elite group of dual-threat quarterbacks with that stat line.
Meanwhile, Arch Manning seems likely to remain in Austin for another season, putting his NFL entry in doubt. After being a backup to Quinn Ewers for two years, he’d be wise to wait; college stars can now earn significant NIL income, removing the urgency to leap to the pros.
As Manning puts it, “I want to be the quarterback at the University of Texas. Sometimes it’s worth the wait”.
With Manning lingering, Klubnik becomes the clear front-runner, and the Browns would take him if they land the top pick.
Even after drafting quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in 2024, Cleveland hasn’t solved its long-term QB dilemma.
Deshaun Watson‘s issues and inconsistent play from other signal-callers like Drew Pickett and Joe Flacco left the franchise still searching.
Why the browns urgently need a franchise QB
The Browns‘ recent quarterback carousel has stalled the franchise’s progress. Watson‘s off-field dramas and inconsistency, Flacco‘s age (41 in 2026), and lackluster performances from Gabriel and Pickett leave no confidence that they’re building around a long-term answer.
Klubnik‘s blend of accuracy, athleticism, poise, and leadership offers hope. Most analysts are drawing comparisons between Klubnik and Baker Mayfield, a fitting echo given Cleveland‘s history.
At Cleveland‘s current pace, another poor season seems to be on the horizon, possibly handing them the No. 1 pick. If that’s the case, Klubnik would very likely be their choice-assuming Manning is off the board.
Balancing projection with pressure
Drafting Klubnik comes with high expectations. A rookie QB in Cleveland, a city known for its unforgiving ‘quarterback graveyard’ syndrome, faces immense pressure.
If Klubnik can elevate his play to Heisman-level status and steer Clemson on a deep playoff run in 2025, he’ll earn a spot at the top of draft boards.
But even if his college superstar status cements him as Cleveland‘s next QB1, the question is whether he can immediately crash that unforgiving NFL stage.
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