It is almost a universally foregone conclusion that the Cleveland Browns are going to select a quarterback in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft. With a talented class expected to be available and the Browns likely to have a high pick, they will look to find a solution to their decades-long problem.
But that was also the thinking this time last year, heading toward the 2026 draft. Circumstances wound up leading the Browns down a different path, and one analyst believes that may happen again next spring.
In an early mock draft by FOX Sports, the Browns are being linked to top edge prospect Dylan Stewart of South Carolina at No. 4 overall.
“The 2027 first-round selection the Browns received from the Rams in the Myles Garrett trade won’t come until much later on Day 1, but with the top quarterbacks off the board and several blue-chip defensive prospects available, Cleveland should be satisfied with reloading on that side of the ball with this pick. Stewart’s blend of burst, bend and length is the building blocks of a future All-Pro. Adding him to a defensive line already featuring Jared Verse and Mason Graham would be exciting,” Rob Rang wrote.
Last year, after being in contention for the No. 1 overall pick for most of the season, two late victories with Shedeur Sanders at quarterback pushed the Browns to No. 6 in the order. That, combined with the fact that quarterback prospects Arch Manning and Dante Moore did not enter the draft and chose to play another college season instead, left Cleveland without a viable choice at the position. It ultimately traded down to No. 9 overall, where it selected offensive tackle Spencer Fano.
In this mock draft, Manning and Moore are available, but they are drafted No. 1 by the Arizona Cardinals and No. 2 by the Miami Dolphins, respectively. The New York Jets are also in dire need of a franchise quarterback, but they select wide receiver Jeremiah Smith at No. 3, leaving the Browns to tab Stewart at No. 4. The next quarterback off the board is CJ Carr, at No. 18 to the Jets.
The Browns have two first-round picks, thanks to the trade of Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. That allows them to select quarterback Sam Leavitt at No. 32 overall as the only other QB taken in the first round. He is about to play his first season at LSU after playing the previous two at Arizona State.
This might not be how many Browns fans expect them to land a QB, but the combination of Stewart and Leavitt could be the start of a third straight excellent draft class.
NEXT: Analyst Reveals His Expectations For Browns Offense In 2026
