Browns’ Deshaun Watson decision puts them on early 2027 NFL Draft QB watch

With the Cleveland Browns officially announcing Deshaun Watson as their starter, it may seem on paper like they've reached a conclusion at quarterback. In reality, the decision could signal that Cleveland has much bigger long-term plans at the position.

While the Browns have given no indication that Watson will remain the starter all season, the decision suggests they aren't completely comfortable handing the offense to Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel. If they were convinced either young quarterback was ready to take control of the job, one of them likely would have gotten the nod.

Instead, they go with the much-maligned Watson, who recently called out his own fan base for cheering when he got injured.

So, where does that leave Cleveland? The Browns have named Watson their Week 1 starter, but how committed are they to him beyond that? With two games on the road to start, will they be comfortable with an 0-2 start? Are they going to shuffle quarterbacks? That remains to be seen.

That remains to be seen.

But unless something changes dramatically at quarterback, Cleveland is quickly becoming a team to watch in the 2027 NFL Draft QB race.

Browns' young quarterbacks haven't done enough

The main problem with the young QBs is that they've already had their chance. Even though they were rookies, neither looked good.

Sanders played in eight games with seven starts, going 3-4 while throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Gabriel appeared in 10 games with six starts, going a dismal 1-5 while throwing for 937 yards and seven touchdowns, although he did limit his mistakes with just two interceptions

The fact that A, they didn't look good as rookies, and B, neither is named the starter as a second-year player does not look good. Imagine if that were a first- or second-round guy and they refused to start him. At that point, you're thinking you made a bad decision.

Luckily for Cleveland, it didn't invest a whole heck of a lot in either quarterback. Gabriel was actually the higher selection, while Sanders was available later in the draft when his value became too difficult to pass up.

2027 NFL Draft could give Browns their answer

So who could await Cleveland in the 2027 NFL Draft?

Only what has the potential to become one of the most intriguing quarterback classes in recent memory.

Whether it be Arch Manning, Dante Moore, or someone more off the radar like Trinidad Chambliss, the Browns may have their pick of the litter. And, as talented as their team might be outside of the QB position, it’s hard to see them getting a ton of wins in the 2026 NFL season.

I won’t go as far as to say the Browns are destined to have the No. 1 pick. But if their decision to start Watson is any indication of how they view their quarterback room, Cleveland's immediate future at the position looks uncertain enough to make the Browns one of the NFL's most interesting teams to watch as the race for the 2027 NFL Draft begins.

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