The Cleveland Browns have a lot of work to do in 2026. The 5-12 record in 2025 proved that there’s a lot to improve, and many changes were made, including the arrival of Todd Monken to replace Kevin Stefanski as the head coach. However, they still have no true answer for the quarterback position.
Cleveland Browns “More Likely” To Draft Drew Allar Than Ty Simpson
Shedeur Sanders ended the year as the starter quarterback, but he didn’t convince. The Browns still don’t have a true franchise quarterback, and with the fifth-overall pick in a weak quarterback class, it’s unlikely they’ll find one in the draft.
Instead of reaching for a new passer in the first round, Browns reporter Tony Grossi provided a glimpse of the team’s strategy from what he heard at the NFL Combine. The team is more likely to take a flyer on Drew Allar instead of using an early pick on Ty Simpson, the consensus No. 2 quarterback in the class behind Fernando Mendoza.
“Nothing has changed my opinion that offensive line and wide receiver will be the top draft priorities. And when it comes to the quarterback room, I’ll say this: there’s a greater chance of the Browns drafting Drew Allar than there is of Ty Simpson. […] I think it’s just a matter of taking a flyer late, as opposed to devoting a first-round pick to Ty Simpson.”
Allar is an interesting case. Throwing in public for the first time since he had season-ending ankle surgery in 2025, he had a fantastic performance during the NFL Combine and impressed scouts who attended the event. His intangibles have always been attractive, but his mental game needs improvement.
He’s not considered one of the top quarterback prospects. Mendoza, from Indiana, is likely to be the first overall pick, with Ty Simpson lurking around the first round. Overall, it’s not a great class; Allar could rise on draft boards until April due to his arm strength and his experience after 45 games at Penn State, where he had 73 total touchdowns.
He finished both the 2023 and 2024 seasons ranked with a B- grade in our PFSN CFB QB Impact Metric, putting a QB Impact Score above 80 in both years. His best season with the Nittany Lions was 2024, when he led the team to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Allar could be available in the mid rounds, giving the Browns a true chance of taking a flyer in his development without spending a lot of draft capital.
