The Cleveland Browns have been linked to Penn State quarterback Drew Allar plenty over the past few years. On paper, the idea makes a lot of sense. Allar grew up in Ohio, was a top recruit, and a star at Penn State.
After recent comments about the Browns' quarterback plans, the team is expected to add another young quarterback if it goes that route, an idea that would be smart.
“At the owners’ meetings this week, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said if the team adds another quarterback, it will probably be a young player. That most likely means any addition would come via the draft, though the Browns could also make an addition via trade either during or just after the draft,” Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported.
After that report, Ernesto Cova of FanSided linked the Browns to Allar. He added that while Allar has come up due to being a local kid, he makes more sense to take in the later rounds than someone like Ty Simpson out of Alabama.
Simpson has gotten more love than Allar over the past few months, but before this season, Allar was viewed as the much better prospect.
“Local ties aside, Allar makes more sense in the fourth round than Simpson in the first. This quarterback class is underwhelming, and the talent gap after Fernando Mendoza is impossible to ignore. Cleveland has huge needs at left tackle and wide receiver, and using an early-round selection on a polarizing quarterback prospect doesn't make much sense.
“Barring a shocking turn of events, Dillon Gabriel isn't expected to see the field in 2026. Deshaun Watson may have a shot to play, but despite the Browns' best efforts to pump his tires, it's hard to envision him re-signing with the Browns after the season. That potentially leaves Shedeur Sanders and a mid-round pick in this year's draft as two developmental prospects with high ceilings going forward,” Costa wrote.
Allar to the Browns just feels right, but there’s something to be said about it not making too much sense, either. At Penn State, he showed signs of being elite. However, there were other times when it was clear that he needed to be developed. The Browns haven’t done that at a high level regarding QB play.