ESPN’s Jordan Reid just dropped a bombshell, and it paints a pretty wild picture for the Cleveland Browns. We’re talking about a preseason mock draft that has them giving up a *massive* haul to trade all the way up to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft! Their target? Oregon Ducks star quarterback Dante Moore. Seriously, this isn’t some minor move, this is a franchise-altering gamble being projected before the 2026 season even begins.
Why Cleveland Is Already Eyeing 2027
Alright, let’s get real for a sec. When your coaching staff names Deshaun Watson the starter over Shedeur Sanders for the 2026 season, it screams one thing: “We do not believe our quarterback of the future is on this roster right now.” That’s a brutal reality check for Browns fans heading into the new season, and it’s why their eyes are already squarely on the 2027 NFL Draft. Reid’s projection confirms what a lot of people are thinking: finding a franchise guy is all but a certainty for the Browns. Unless Sanders somehow turns into an MVP candidate, which, let’s be honest, the team doesn’t seem to expect, Cleveland is going to be drafting a QB, and drafting one early.
Dante Moore: The Man They’re Chasing
So, who is this guy they’re willing to go all in for? It’s Dante Moore, the junior QB out of Oregon. This dude isn’t messing around. Last season, he threw for an impressive 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns, though he did toss 10 interceptions. He can move, too, racking up 156 yards and two scores on 73 attempts with his legs. At 6-foot-3, 206 pounds, he’s got the size and the arm to be a true franchise guy. Moore actually had a shot at declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft, where he likely would’ve gone No. 2 overall to the New York Jets. Instead, he returned to college, and now the Browns could be major beneficiaries of that decision. Forget the Arch Manning talk for a second, Moore brings some serious high-quality upside that should get any team excited.
The Staggering Cost of the No. 1 Pick
To get their guy, Reid projects the Browns to make a mega-deal with the Miami Dolphins, who would be sitting at No. 1 overall. The price tag? Brace yourselves: Cleveland would reportedly give up “their first-round picks (Nos. 4 and 32 overall), a 2027 fourth-round pick and their 2028 second-round pick.” That’s a STEEP price to pay, moving from No. 4 to the top spot. It’s a large package, no doubt about it. But for a franchise quarterback, the Browns clearly see it as an investment they can’t afford to skimp on. If Moore brings his stellar college play to the NFL, he could help them turn things around quickly.
What does this all mean for the Browns’ 2026 season? If they’re already looking to mortgage a chunk of their draft future for a 2027 prospect, it tells you everything about their current QB situation and the urgency they feel. Moore brings serious upside, and for Cleveland, locking down that kind of talent is apparently worth whatever it takes. It’s going to be wild to see how this plays out over the next year, but for now, the conversation is all about Dante Moore and that blockbuster trade.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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