The dust has barely settled after a frenetic and unexpected NFL draft weekend for Shedeur Sanders, and already one outlet predicts he will have even more quarterback drama next year.
The Colorado quarterback was once projected as a Top 5 pick in the recently concluded NFL draft, but league scouts saw otherwise and he fell to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round.
The Browns already have plenty of other competition in their quarterback room with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, while also picking up a third-round quarterback in Dillon Gabriel -- all while Deshaun Watson looms as the likely starter once he returns from a torn Achilles.
Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus predict that the Browns will add even more competition next year. In an early rendition of the 2026 NFL draft, the pair predict that the Browns will take Texas quarterback Arch Manning with the No. 2 overall pick.
"Texas’ new star quarterback will have high expectations heading into 2025, but he played well in limited action last season," their report noted. "Across 233 snaps, including two starts, Manning posted an 88.0 PFF overall grade with six big-time throws and two turnover-worthy plays. He also generated four explosive runs on just 21 carries. The sky is the limit for Manning in Steve Sarkisian’s offense."
A lot can still happen before NFL draft day in 2026, including a big decision from Manning on whether he will enter the draft or return for his final year of college eligibility. Sanders will also face a tough competition for a spot on Cleveland's depth chart.
