For every game the Cleveland Browns win this season, they need to add another name to their list of potential quarterback targets in the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s because with each victory, they are likely to fall further back in the pecking order.
Thoughts of landing the No. 1 overall pick may have already vanished after a surprising Week 2 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a relatively forgiving upcoming schedule, the Browns may last longer as playoff contenders than as potential top-5 drafters.
Insider Tony Grossi recently named five college QBs that should be on the Browns’ radar, led by Darian Mensah of the University of Miami.
“Tony Grossi’s Week 3 2027 college QB rankings on his radar for the Browns: 1. Darian Mensah, 2. Jayden Maiava, 3. CJ Carr, 4. Arch Manning, 5. Drew Mestemaker,” ESPN Cleveland posted.
.@TonyGrossi’s week 3 2027 college QB rankings on his radar for the Browns 👀👀👀
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/OElFKxK7bz
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 22, 2026
Mensah, a transfer from Duke, has emerged as the potential No. 1 pick thanks to three outstanding games in his first year with Miami. He has more touchdown passes (11) than incompletions (eight) in his 79 attempts, for an astounding 89.9 percent completion percentage.
Maiava of USC may be another surprise at No. 2, but he has 12 TD passes with just one interception in his four games played this season. Carr from Notre Dame is next, with much more modest numbers (six TDs in three games).
It is unlikely that those three will be the first QB off the board next April, but perhaps Grossi is planning for the Browns to be picking lower than was first thought. However, if the draft does play out according to his list, Cleveland may still have a chance at Arch Manning of Texas, who is reportedly coveted by Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.
Despite leading a comeback win against Ohio State, there are still flaws to Manning’s game that may be hurting his draft stock. Listed at No. 4, he has completed just 61.2 percent of his passes and has seven touchdowns with two interceptions in his first three games this season.
Mestemaker of Oklahoma State is at No. 5, perhaps earning that spot by virtue of his upset victory over fellow prospect Dante Moore of Oregon. After that game, it was revealed that Moore has a tendency to tip his plays, which could prevent some NFL teams from risking a top-10 pick on him.
That could wind up working in the Browns’ favor, depending on where they land in the order following this season.
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