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Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns has long been rumored to be a Cleveland Browns target.

The Cleveland Browns have done quite a bit to rebuild the depth and talent on the offensive side of the ball this offseason, focusing their free-agent efforts on bringing in three new offensive linemen, and backing up those acquisitions with more attention to the line in the draft. The Browns then bolstered the wide-receiver room, adding KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston with two picks in the Top 40.

The phrase being used to describe what the Browns are up to is, “improving the quarterback ecosystem,” which is a 21st century way to say they’re making the offense better without committing more money or assets to the quarterback position. And it’s probably the right thing to do–it was hard to judge Shedeur Sanders, or Dillon Gabriel for that matter, last season because the line and the receivers were in such poor shape.

But if the team can log more hits than misses in its free-agent signings and draft picks, and if young players like running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin can keep improving, then the Browns will at least have a more level playing field on which to judge a quarterback.

Of course, that doesn’t change the belief that they’re just doing it all for Arch Manning.

Browns Already Linked to Arch Manning in Mock Drafts

Yes, rumors that the Texas starting quarterback is the apple of the Browns’ eye going forward persist, and in the early looks at 2027 mock drafts everywhere–a mostly futile exercise, given that Cade Klubnick and Garrett Nussmeier were widely considered Top 5 picks a year ago at this time–tend to reflect that.

From Cleveland.com, Matt Goul has Manning going to the Browns with the No. 5 overall pick, writing, “Jeremiah Smith’s presence in next year’s draft class means the top three or four will be where quarterback-hungry teams want to be. A year ago, Manning was projected as the top pick for 2026. While he fell short of that billing, Manning found a groove in the second half of last season. He rushed for 10 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability that neither uncles Peyton nor Eli Manning ever had at quarterback.”

Sporting News had the same outlook, except that the Browns take Manning at No. 2: “The grandson of Archie, the son of Cooper and of course, the nephew of Peyton and Eli, Arch Manning will finally make his much-anticipated leap to the NFL in what can be a Heisman-winning breakout for the Longhorns. He has a good chance of going from burnt orange to a similar shade of uniform.”

Improved Ecosystem = No Top NFL Draft Quarterback

That would all make sense, except for the fact that the Browns are also viewed as having had one of the best drafts in the NFL this weekend, with 10 new players on hand. No matter who wins the quarterback job, whether it’s Deshaun Watson or Sanders or a wildcard, the offensive roster is much improved. The Browns won five games last year, and it’s hard to see them moving backwards from that.

Unless there is a Myles Garrett trade, the defense should still be one of the best in the NFL. That might be the Catch-22 for the Browns here. They had to improve the “quarterback ecosystem” but in doing so, they might have pushed themselves to, say, seven or even eight wins. And that won’t be high enough on the draft board to land Manning.

The improved ecosystem, then, could cost them the quarterback.