The search for a franchise quarterback has defined the Browns for decades. Every few years, the team believes it has found its answer, only to end up back at square one and scanning the next draft class for hope. Even in a season where the current starter has exceeded expectations, that search never fully goes away. One early mock draft has Cleveland taking another swing at the position next spring.
Brent Sobleski and the Bleacher Report Scouting Department sent Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons to the Browns at No. 13 in their latest 2027 mock draft.
“Deshaun Watson has outperformed expectations and quieted chatter about Shedeur Sanders taking over as the Cleveland Browns’ QB1. Even so, Watson hasn’t been particularly good. Thus, quarterback remains the primary need in Cleveland,” Sobleski wrote. “Missouri’s Austin Simmons is a natural passer with near-elite arm strength to make every throw. He’s also capable of using his legs if necessary. Overall, the 20-year-old is an ascending prospect who hasn’t come close to reaching his ceiling.”
The pick itself is a reminder of what the Myles Garrett trade could still produce. The Browns would make this selection with the Los Angeles Rams’ 1st-round pick, part of the package Cleveland received for Garrett along with Jared Verse.
Simmons is putting together an impressive season. He has thrown for 1,434 yards with 14 touchdowns and just 1 interception through 6 games, completing nearly 65% of his passes for a Missouri team that is 5-1 and ranked 13th.
Austin Simmons obviously has the goods
Top 10 pick if he keeps this up pic.twitter.com/ww2vf1XA1f
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 8, 2026
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Simmons can drive the ball to every level of the field, and he showed it with a 340-yard, 2-touchdown performance against Florida earlier this month.
His age is a big part of the appeal. Simmons arrived in college unusually young, which is why he is just 20 despite being listed as a senior, leaving plenty of room for growth.
His path adds an interesting twist this weekend. Simmons began his career at Ole Miss before transferring, and Missouri faces his former team on Saturday in a top-15 matchup. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was also among the prospects Sobleski considered for Cleveland at No. 13, along with Oregon’s Dante Moore.
Mock drafts in October are far from final, and plenty will change before next spring. Still, this projection highlights the Browns’ unique position. With Watson’s future uncertain and extra 1st-round capital in hand, Cleveland could be set up to address its longest-running problem in the 2027 draft, no matter how the rest of this season plays out.
NEXT: Insider Says Deshaun Watson’s Browns Future Has Changed
