Though there remains some doubt that Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore will leave the program and declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, he remains one of the highest-rated prospects in the upcoming draft class despite starting just 15 games to date.
ESPN’s Matt Miller released the site’s latest 2026 mock draft, with Moore being selected second behind Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The pick was originally owned by the New York Giants, but without a need at quarterback after drafting Ole Miss‘ Jaxson Dart in 2025 first round, they traded the pick to the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns currently have a 2-8 record and have started two quarterbacks this season (Joe Flacco and former Duck Dillon Gabriel) with a third on the way in Week 12 (Shedeur Sanders). Flacco was traded away early in the season, giving way for Gabriel to start the past six games. While he’s thrown seven touchdowns versus just two interceptions, he’s completed just 59.2% of his passes and has struggled mightily to push the ball down the field.
As it stands, it doesn’t appear that Gabriel will be the answer to Cleveland’s longstanding quarterback issue.
After making the proposed trade, Miller nabbed Moore as being selected by the Browns at No. 2 overall.
“The Browns’ many attempts to find a franchise quarterback have failed, so it’s back to the drawing board,” Miller wrote. “Moore started five games at UCLA in 2023 before transferring to Oregon and sitting behind Dillon Gabriel — whom he’d actually be replacing here — in 2024. Moore has played with poise and touch this season, completing 72.8% of his passes for 2,190 yards and 21 touchdowns to five interceptions while showing great arm talent.
“He isn’t a shoo-in to declare for 2026, given his limited experience (15 starts), but Moore’s penchant for making tough throws from muddy pockets would fit in Cleveland. Moore alone wouldn’t be a quick fix, but matching him with RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. would give the Browns a young, high-energy offense.”
Moore’s talent has been on full display in 2025, driving him up draft boards ahead of the 2026 draft next spring. Yet his decision is still in question, as he hasn’t publicly disclosed whether he’ll stay at Oregon or go to the next level. Either way, considering how highly-rated of a prospect that he is, shockwaves will be felt in both the NFL and college football.
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