Browns Predicted to Add Undefeated Star to Replace Dillon Gabriel
It would be just the Browns‘ luck, wouldn’t it, to have two first-round picks (one likely a Top 5 pick) in a 2026 NFL draft that has depth and quality at a number of positions … but not so much at quarterback. It’s a legacy that stretches back more than three decades, the Browns’ inability to draft and develop a top-line quarterback, and there is real fear that the 2026 draft might not be the one to help them much.
Still, after five games of Dillon Gabriel, and unless there is a late-season revelation on Shedeur Sanders as a future star, the Browns will need to pick a quarterback in six months. The pool might be slim, but at Cleveland.com, they’ve got a path for the Browns to get a guy who has shown some toughness and grit–and who happens to be 6-foot-5, a nice contrast to the diminutive Gabriel.
The quarterback: Fernando Mendoza of undefeated Indiana.
Browns Could Land Top 2026 QB
Now, it should be noted that the mock draft does feature a big break for the Browns, in that the team lands with the fourth pick and none of the Top 3 pick a quarterback. That’s plausible, since two of the worst teams in the league–the Titans and Giants–appear to have QB1s in place. A third, the Saints, could decide they need to give last year’s second-rounder, Tyler Shough, a shot.
So the Browns get the pick of the QB litter.
Writes Tim Bielik of Cleveland.com: “Mendoza right now is QB1 and his game-winning drive at Penn State on Saturday only solidified that standing. He has just about everything a quarterback needs except for an elite deep ball. Mendoza has taken the next step as a quarterback under Curt Cignetti and looks like the type of QB who could turn a team like the Browns back around quickly.”
Fernando Mendoza Early QB 1 Leader
There is some debate on who is the top quarterback in this draft, with Ty Simpson of Alabama getting some of that attention, and Oregon’s Dante Moore also in the mix. And the one worrying aspect of it all is that none of those three were considered sure-fire first-rounders heading into this season. If only Arch manning had lived up to his hype, this might be an easy call.
Still, the Browns are unmistakably in the market for a quarterback, and Mendoza shines as a sort of anti-Gabriel–big and strong, poised in the pocket, while being both accurate and willing to take risks down the field. According to Pro Football Focus, Mendoza is not all that bad with the deep passes, completing 18 of his 33 passes of 20 yards or more this year.
(Worth noting: Gabriel is 2-for-8 on such passes with the Browns thus far.)
Mendoza’s completion percentage (71.3%) is excellent, and he has racked up 2,342 yards on the season in 10 games. The only games in which he did not top 200 yards passing were blowouts against Old Dominion and UCLA.
Browns Could Also Add a Top WR With Fernando Mendoza
The good news for the Browns on their second first-rounder is that, should the team turn to more offensive help with that pick, there is a deep pool of first-round-worthy receivers on hand, and Cleveland should do what it can to pluck one of them.
The Cleveland.com mock has them landing USC’s Makai Lemon, who has been one of the most productive pass-catchers in college football. But Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Chris Bell (Louisville), and Denzel Boston (Washington) are also worth watching.
Alex Cora’s Winning Philosophy: Attitude Over Ability for the Red Sox
Boston, MA — In a statement that reinforces the Boston Red Sox's tradition of grit and determination, head coach Alex Cora has emphasized that attitude plays a pivotal role in the team’s success. "I value attitude over ability," Cora said confidently. "If your skills aren’t there yet, we can work and improve together. But if your attitude is lacking, you won’t last with this team."
Cora’s leadership has always been about creating a culture where players are encouraged to grow not only in their skills but in their mindset. While talent is essential for individual performance, Cora firmly believes that a positive attitude is the key to the long-term success of the team. "The players who bring the right attitude, the ones who are dedicated, focused, and selfless, are the ones who will thrive in Boston," Cora added.
As a coach known for his strategic mind and ability to connect with his players, Cora is focused on fostering a team-oriented approach. He believes every player has the potential to improve with the right effort and determination. "The right attitude is non-negotiable," he stressed. "We need players who are all-in for the team, who take accountability, and who strive for continuous improvement."
With the Red Sox striving to return to postseason contention, Cora’s philosophy remains at the heart of their approach. Whether it’s a rookie making his debut or a veteran looking to make a comeback, every player is expected to demonstrate not only the ability to perform but also the right attitude to support the team’s collective success.
In Boston, the message is simple: you can improve your skills over time, but without the right attitude, you won’t have a place on this team. This emphasis on attitude ensures the Red Sox aren’t just a team of talented individuals, but a unified squad with one goal—World Series glory.
