The Cleveland Browns are reportedly considering a significant trade to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza, who recently led the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship, has declared for the draft and is projected to be the first overall pick. Currently, the Las Vegas Raiders hold that top selection and are in need of a quarterback.
If the Raiders express any hesitation about Mendoza or favor another quarterback prospect, they might entertain offers for the top pick. The Browns, possessing the sixth overall pick in the draft, could find themselves in a position to negotiate a trade if they develop a strong interest in Mendoza.
A comparable trade took place during the 2023 NFL Draft when the Chicago Bears, who held the first pick, opted to trade with the Carolina Panthers. In that deal, the Bears received wide receiver DJ Moore along with multiple draft picks, including first and second-round selections for the following years. The Browns would likely need to construct an offer similar to this in order to secure Mendoza.
Fortunately for Cleveland, they have three picks positioned higher in the draft compared to what the Panthers had in their trade, which may afford them a better negotiating stance. Should the Browns decide to pursue Mendoza, they might consider trading their sixth pick along with their first-round selection from the Jacksonville Jaguars, which is currently at 24.
By doing so, they could potentially retain their first-round pick for 2027. However, the Raiders might still be inclined to target the Browns” first-round pick for the following year, particularly if Cleveland”s performance does not improve significantly.
Acquiring Mendoza could prove complex for the Browns, especially given the number of offensive gaps they need to address. A prudent strategy might be for Cleveland to hold off on the trade for now, focus on enhancing their offense this season, and aim for a quarterback in the 2027 draft class, which is anticipated to be particularly deep.
Daniel, a sports writer from Northeast Ohio, has a long-standing passion for the Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians, and Buckeyes. He enjoys sharing insights and analyses on these teams.
