Adam Schefter Pours Cold Water On Browns' NFL Draft Quarterback Speculation

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Mar 31, 2026 1:00 PM ET

With the NFL Draft less than a month away, ESPN insider Adam Schefter shared some insight on what the Cleveland Browns might do with their first-round selections.

The Browns currently own No. 6 and No. 24 overall picks in the upcoming draft. Technically speaking, they could select a quarterback like Ty Simpson on Day 1. That would most likely end the Shedeur Sanders era in Cleveland. He completed 56.6% of his passes during his rookie season for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

We can't ignore that Cleveland still has Deshaun Watson on the roster. The veteran quarterback has only appeared in 19 games since agreeing to a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns.

Will a rookie quarterback join Sanders and Watson in the quarterback room? Maybe, but it won't be a Day 1 prospect.

According to Schefter, the Browns aren't expected to take a quarterback during the early stages of the draft. At least that's what he suggested on "The Pat McAfee Show" this Tuesday.

"I don't think they're going to go quarterback in Round 1 at all," Schefter said. "I don't see it happening right now."

Who has the edge for QB1?

While at the NFL's annual league meeting on Monday, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam declared that Watson has a great chance to be the Week 1 starter.

"Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach who has, in his past, been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful," said Haslam. "So Deshaun has a great chance to do that now."

Since joining the Browns a few years ago, Watson has completed 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. If he wins the starting job, the fan base in Cleveland won't be too thrilled.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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