The Browns are still hunting for the quarterback who can finally settle things down in Cleveland, and the 2027 NFL Draft already looks like another swing worth watching. With two first-round picks in hand, the Browns will have a real shot to go after a long-term answer if the board breaks their way.
That makes the early quarterback crop worth tracking now, even if the rankings are going to look very different by the time draft season actually arrives. Right now, there are five names Browns fans should already know.
Arch Manning sits at the top of the group, and the case for him is easy to see. He has the prototypical size, the arm strength and the athleticism teams covet, and he’s not the kind of static pocket passer his uncles were in the NFL.
After a shaky-looking start to the 2025 college football season, he settled in during the back half of the year and reminded scouts why he had been viewed as the top prospect in last year’s class. With another year of development, he could turn into the kind of no-doubt top pick the Browns would be thrilled to land.
The next tier includes LaNorris Sellers, who might have the widest range of outcomes of anyone in this class. He’s built like a load at 240 pounds and has the kind of physical ability that can get a team dreaming about a No. 1 overall selection.
The issue is the passing growth just hasn’t shown up yet. If he takes a real step forward this season, his stock could move fast.
Fernando Mendoza brings a very different profile. He’s not going to wow anyone with elite athletic traits, but he’s accurate, comfortable reading openings from the pocket and good at putting his receivers in position to make plays. The limitation is obvious enough that some scouts will hesitate, but after transferring from Duke to Miami, he could get the kind of rise Cam Ward and Carson Beck enjoyed.
Ty Simpson is another quarterback who could keep climbing if the season goes right. He may not have the physical gifts of a typical top-five pick, but he’s accurate enough to survive and succeed in the NFL. He does his best work when he’s anticipating throwing windows and operating from the pocket, though his athletic limitations could keep some teams from buying in fully.
Garrett Nussmeier rounds out the list, and his appeal is tied to how much he can do with the ball in his hand. He can attack every part of the field and plays with a composure that stands out at the college level.
That kind of poise makes him a coach’s dream, and in a different draft class, he might be the clear QB1. Here, he just narrowly slots behind Manning.
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Browns QB Battle Just Took A Turn Fans Didnt Expect
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Boston arrived with plenty of buzz after going in the second round, even though some evaluators saw him as a first-round talent. Early in camp, he has done his part to justify that belief, showing the kind of playmaking ability that can change the tone around a receiver room fast. The Browns still have bigger questions to answer on offense, but Boston is giving them a young target worth watching every day. [Read more 🡒]