Shedeur Sanders' job security in Cleveland just received a potential boost. An ESPN analyst made a bold prediction about the Browns' 2026 draft plan that doesn't involve a new QB.

The Browns have the 6th pick in the 2026 NFL draft. ESPN analyst Toni Grossi thinks that they will trade it away.

"More than likely, I see the Browns trading down from six. Because one team might think Caleb Downs is the be-all-end-all. Another one might say, 'I've got to get up there to get Carnell Tate.' Whereas the Browns, would you take next year's second-round pick to drop two spots?" argued Grossi.

"There's a couple deals like that that could be in play. You might be able to do it twice. Go six to eight, eight to 10 for two number twos next year, and you end up with Mauigoa," he added.

Caleb Downs is a safety for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He has had 166 solo tackles, 90 assists, 1.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and 6 interceptions in his collegiate career. Many projected him as the Browns' first pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The same was thought for Carnell Tate.

Tate is the top wide receiver prospect for the Draft. He has had 121 catches for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns since 2023. But Grossi thinks that the Browns will draft neither and just trade their pick. That could be good news for Shedeur Sanders because the team might not draft a QB.

The second pick the Browns have after the 6th is number 24. Finding a quarterback better than Sanders at pick 24 would be challenging. Fernando Mendoza is already predicted to be the number 1 pick. Ty Simpson might also get picked up because a lot of teams are looking for a QB.

But that Does Not Mean Shedeur Sanders is the QB1 of the Browns

Because Andrew Berry is open to free agency. A reporter asked the Browns’ GM whether the team plans to add a quarterback from outside their current roster. Andrew Berry didn’t give a definitive answer, but he left the door open.

"I think there's always the possibility, but we have a long way to go before we get to that point," he said. "We expect to have a competitive room, and that's important to us, but what that looks like, I can't exactly define that as we sit here today."

Malik Willis could be one option. He originally signed a four-year, $5.16 million rookie contract with the Titans in 2022 before being traded to the Packers in 2024, where he has backed up Jordan Love. With his deal set to expire in the coming months, Willis is headed for free agency.

He has thrown for 1,322 yards and 6 touchdowns in 22 career games. Do you think he will be a good replacement for Shedeur Sanders?

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Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi