The Cleveland Browns are staring at the No. 6 and No. 24 overall picks with a quarterback room that is anything but settled. General manager Andrew Berry and new head coach Todd Monken have options. They also face tremendous pressure to get this quarterback pick right, if that’s the path they take.
The debate raging in Cleveland centers on whether to build around 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders, hope for a miracle return to form from Deshaun Watson, or take a massive swing on a rookie prospect in the first round.
Browns Urged To Prioritize QB Ty Simpson With Top NFL Draft Pick in 2026
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com has seen enough to make her preference clear. She believes the franchise should take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with their top selection.
“I would actually take a chance on Ty Simpson,” Cabot said on Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan. “If you’re not 100 percent sure about a player at another position, then why not take a chance on a QB? I like a lot of what I’ve seen in those 15 games.”
“I think they ultimately will not do that. That is what I would do at this point… The position is so important I’d rather take the chance.”
đź“ž@MaryKayCabot says Ty Simpson at No. 6 is her personal preference, doesn’t expect Browns to go with that https://t.co/ZwUdjt0nhF pic.twitter.com/WO4CbuYPQk
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) April 2, 2026
Cabot acknowledged her personal draft board likely differs from what the front office will actually execute when they go on the clock in late April.
“I think they ultimately will not do that,” Cabot said. “That is what I would do at this point. The position is so important I’d rather take the chance.”
Evaluating Simpson as a Draft Prospect
Taking Simpson at No. 6 overall represents a massive gamble for a roster with glaring holes on the offensive line and at wide receiver. The Alabama product is widely regarded as the second-best quarterback in the 2026 class behind Indiana standout Fernando Mendoza. Evaluators are heavily split on Simpson because of his limited collegiate resume.
He spent four years in Tuscaloosa but only served as the full-time starter for one season. Simpson threw just 50 total passes during his first three years on campus. When he finally took the reins, he delivered a compelling statistical campaign.
The 23-year-old led the SEC in completions and attempts last season. He threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions while completing 64.5% of his passes, earning a B grade (85.4) in PFSN’s CFB QB Impact Metrics.
Film study reveals a passer with pinpoint accuracy and outstanding instincts. Simpson routinely makes layered throws over second-level defenders. He operates well from a clean pocket and shows the quick processing speed Monken demands in his offensive system.
The prominent concerns stem from a late-season slump and his physical dimensions. Simpson checks in at 6-foot-1, 211 pounds. He struggled mightily down the stretch last year.
Over his final six games, his completion percentage dropped to 61%. NFL teams are historically wary of one-year starters who lack elite size. Asking Berry to spend a top-10 pick on a player with 15 career college starts requires absolute conviction.
Navigating the Browns’ Crowded QB Room
Drafting Simpson would immediately complicate an already crowded quarterback room. The Browns drafted Sanders in the fifth round just a year ago. He endured a brutal rookie campaign behind a leaky offensive line.
Sanders took 23 sacks in just 8 appearances. He flashed high-end accuracy and touch, but he also struggled to bail from clean pockets and play hero ball.
Monken is currently installing an offense designed to maximize quick processing and rhythm passing. Sanders is spending the offseason revamping his footwork to fit the new scheme. He recently reclaimed his collegiate No. 2 jersey and has drawn notable praise from ownership for his physical conditioning this spring.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam noted that Sanders has spent the bulk of the winter at the team facility, saying, “His body looks better. He’s been working hard.”
Using the No. 6 pick on Simpson would effectively end the Sanders experiment before Monken even has a chance to mold him. It would also create extreme awkwardness with the rest of the depth chart. The Browns still have Watson and Dillon Gabriel under contract.
Watson remains a massive financial anchor for the organization. His presence complicates any long-term roadmap at the position. Adding a rookie like Simpson into a room with a highly paid veteran and a second-year developmental prospect is a recipe for training camp chaos.
