Browns' Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel receive reality check ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have veteran Deshaun Watson, 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders and 2025 third-round choice Dillon Gabriel in their quarterback room.

Sanders and Watson are viewed as the favorites to win the team's starting job at some point this summer. However, it seems like they could get some new competition for the gig next week. 

Are Browns targeting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft? 

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Browns general manager Andrew Berry was asked if he will acquire a signal-caller during this year's draft. 

"I think it’s possible," Berry responded, per the Browns' website. "I think it’s possible that we could. I mean, quite frankly, it’s possible that we could add to any position. That’s really the truth. And I wouldn’t disqualify quarterback, either."

Gabriel is already viewed as the odd man out regarding Cleveland's quarterback situation. However, Berry insisted on Thursday that "we have a lot of love for the quarterbacks that are in the room" and that getting rid of somebody on the roster is a move that "would be made independently of anything that we add to the room" during the draft.

What are the Browns' thoughts on Ty Simpson?

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide is arguably the most polarizing quarterback prospect in this year's class. Recent reports indicate that the Browns won't draft Simpson in the first round and that he will be off the board when the second round of the player-selection process gets underway. 

Berry wouldn't comment on whether or not he thinks Simpson will be a first-round pick. 

"We’ve enjoyed the time that we’ve spent with Ty," Berry said. "Son of a coach, really smart, very driven, he’s physically talented. He has a very unique college journey, in terms of coming in as a five-star and then really having to wait his turn behind two pretty talented, quarterbacks in Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe before getting his chance under center. And he did a great job maximizing it. So, we’ve really enjoyed our time with Ty."

If the Browns take a flier on Simpson late in the draft's first round or early in the second, a quarterback currently on Cleveland's roster will become surplus to requirements. Such a move could also indicate that the Browns' 2026 Week 1 QB1 isn't part of their squad on April 17.