2026 NFL draft: How NFL playoff teams acquired their QBs and what the Browns should learn from it

The Cleveland Browns are in head coach search mode as the NFL playoffs have their opening weekend. Two exciting games got things going on Saturday, with a couple of Sunday games mattering for the Browns 2026 NFL draft order positioning. For Cleveland, there is no right way to return to the glory days of old. Like most things, the answer is “both.”

The Browns need a quarterback and the team needs better weapons/offensive linemen. Both are true. The reality is that the second part takes multiple players, while the quarterback is a singular option, leading to it being a singular focus for most in the media and fans.

There are a few Cleveland fans who believe QB Shedeur Sanders should be built around, but there was very little proof in his first season that he should be the only option. How many fifth-round picks with more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (6) and a very low QBR (19.0) would get much of a benefit of the doubt after eight games?

The answer is none.

With 14 teams (now 12 after Saturday’s action) making the NFL playoffs, a quick look at how each was acquired by the team they are playing for:

AFC Playoff Teams

1. Denver Broncos – Bo Nix – 1st round pick – 12th overall
2. New England Patriots – Drake Maye – 1st round pick – 3rd overall
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence – 1st round pick – 1st overall
4. Pittsburgh Steelers – Aaron Rodgers – Free agent signee – Originally selected in 1st round, 24th pick overall
5. Houston Texans – CJ Stround – 1st round pick – 2nd overall
6. Buffalo Bills – Josh Allen – 1st round pick – 7th overall
7. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert – 1st round pick – 6th overall

NFC Playoff Teams

1. Seattle Seahawks – Sam Darnold – Free agent signee – Originally selected in the 1st round, 3rd pick overall
2. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams – 1st round pick – 1st overall
3. Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Hurts – 2nd round pick – 53rd overall
4. Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young – 1st round pick – 1st overall
5. Los Angeles Rams – Matthew Stafford – Trade acquisition – Originally selected in the 1st round, 1st overall
6. San Francisco 49ers – Brock Purdy – 7th round pick – 262nd overall
7. Green Bay Packers – Jordan Love – 1st round pick – 26th overall

Putting the information together, in the NFL playoffs:

• 11 of 14 QBs are playing with the teams that drafted them
• 12 of the 14 QBs were selected in the 1st round
• 9 of the 14 QBs were selected in the Top 10 (Top 7 actually)
• The 2 non-1st round QBs were drafted by teams with loaded rosters, including great offensive lines, defenses, and run games
• Most of the 1st round QBs were drafted by teams that were disasters the previous season and only became stable/good later

For the Browns, their path may be one that is totally dependent on what quarterbacks are available. Is there a QB prospect that they have a high enough grade on to select in the Top 10? Is there the next Darnold available in free agency? The next Stafford in a trade? The next Hurts in the second round? The next Purdy (or is Sanders this guy) late in the draft?

No matter when they acquire their quarterback, they will also have to build around them. Hurts and Purdy were not first-round picks but were brought in to stable franchises with a lot of talent around them.

This year’s NFL postseason tells us that playoff quarterbacks are first-round picks, mostly near the very top. That doesn’t mean it is a trend that will always continue, but, for now, Cleveland either needs to follow the trend or hope they can join San Fran and Philly as the exceptions to the rule.

Are you surprised by how many QBs in this year’s playoffs were first-round/top of the first-round picks?Does that influence what you think the Browns should do in the 2026 NFL draft?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below