CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this week’s edition of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about new right tackle Tytus Howard, the chances of the Browns drafting a quarterback, and more. Some of the questions came from our Browns Football Insider subscribers. To become one, click the blue banner at the top of the cleveland.com/Browns page.
Hey, Mary Kay:
Does the trade for Tytus Howard influence how the first two picks of the draft will be used or was this a deal to add depth? — Mark Scott, Minerva, Ohio
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Hey, Mark: Given Howard’s salary ($17.5 million for 2026 and then $45 million in new money for the following two years), he’s slated to start at right tackle, which takes care of one of the five uncertain offensive line spots for 2026. But the Browns can still use a starting left tackle given that Dawand Jones is coming off surgery to repair a serious knee and hamstring injury, and has struggled to stay healthy. I think the Browns will still look seriously at the offensive linemen and receivers with their first-round picks. But they’ll also look to bolster those spots in free agency, and that will help determine what they do at No. 6 and No. 24.
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Hey, Mary Kay:
Please don’t draft any quarterbacks! It will just cause a mess like last year. —David Mckean, Tempe, Ariz.
Hey, David: I don’t really see the Browns drafting Ty Simpson at No. 6 overall, but maybe they’ll keep an eye on him for later in the draft if he slips. I could also see them drafting a QB later in the draft if they see a good developmental prospect there. I don’t see any rookie coming in and overtaking Shedeur Sanders this season.
If the Browns do draft a quarterback in a later round, I could see them trading Dillon Gabriel if they can get something for him. They’ve said they want to continue developing him, but I’m guessing they’d part with him for a late-round pick and perhaps take a flier on another rookie QB. If they keep the quarterback competition to two main challengers, it won’t hurt to have a development passer in the pipeline.
Hey Mary Kay:
Do you think the addition of Tytus Howard will bode well for Deshaun Watson? He blocked for Watson when he was in his elite form. Seems like they are leaning towards Watson as QB1. — Alex Mohney from Chesapeake Va.
Hey, Alex: I certainly don’t think it hurts Watson to have Howard blocking for him, but I don’t think that’s why they traded for him. It’s hard to find a quality, starting tackle, and the Browns couldn’t pass on the opportunity. As for whether they’re leaning toward starting Watson, I think they’ll let him and Shedeur Sanders battle it out in the offseason program and minicamp, and try to have their QB1 by the start of camp.
I actually think Browns GM Andrew Berry and Todd Monken are excited about what they’ve seen from Sanders, so I wouldn’t necessarily say they’re leaning toward Watson at this point.
Hey, MKC:
It seems everyone is focused on Shedeur Sanders being the presumptive starter for next year. Is there any chance that Dillon Gabriel gets another look? Based on several efficiency metrics, he was better or the same as Sanders last year. Given a new coaching staff will have a fresh start with both guys, do you think he will have a chance to win the job? — Evan from Boston
Hey, Evan: I know the Browns still like Gabriel and believe he has good upside potential. But he’s started six games for them and he’s not really in the mix to start for them this season. If they don’t trade him, which they’re open to, they keep him as a developmental QB on a rookie contract who can start games for them if necessary. Like the other quarterbacks on the roster last year, Gabriel didn’t have the best supporting cast or offense in which to function. Even Joe Flacco struggled here and then left Cleveland to throw for 325 yards a game in Cincinnati. With more experience and better weapons around him, Gabriel might prove to be a serviceable starting or backup QB.
Hey, Mary Kay:
I’m concerned about trading out of the No. 6 pick this year. We’ve watched this movie before. In 2011, the Browns held the No. 6 overall pick and were in position to draft receiver Julio Jones. Instead, they traded down with Atlanta, and the Falcons used that pick on Jones. Cleveland used their draft capital for players like Phil Taylor, Greg Little, and eventually Brandon Weeden. Jones became one of the most dominant receivers of his era. The Browns got quantity. Atlanta got a franchise‑altering player. Should the Browns bypass an elite difference‑maker (regardless of their position) for additional draft capital? -- Mike Parker, Chester, Md.
Hey, Mike: My counter to that would be that the Browns traded down from No. 2 to No. 5 last year with the Jaguars, and so far have won that trade hands down. The Jaguars drafted receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, who will be a full-time cornerback this year, while the Browns drafted Mason Graham at No. 5, and running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the second- and fourth-rounds respectively.
Hey, Mary Kay:
What was the biggest takeaway from the NFL Combine that will most likely determine what the Browns will do now in the draft and free agency? — Tom Bayes, Charlotte, N.C.
Hey, Tom: My biggest takeaway was that the Browns seem truly poised to press forward with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders competing for the starting quarterback job, and might not add a veteran or a rookie who will challenge them this year. Packers backup Malik Willis will likely be too pricey, and they might not view Kyler Murray as a better option than what they have, even though they could get him at a bargain basement price. The Cardinals owe him his guaranteed $36.8 million for 2026, and any money from the new team gets subtracted from that, meaning the Browns could get him for the veteran minimum of $1.255 million.
I don’t see them adding an older veteran such as Geno Smith or Kirk Cousins, and I think they’re ready to begin their offseason program a month from now with an open competition between Watson and Sanders. That means they probably also won’t draft Alabama QB Ty Simpson unless he tumbles far.
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