Shedeur Sanders’ troubles are simply starting. Though being chosen by Cleveland within the 2025 NFL Draft relieved the sting of his first-round snub, the make-up of the Browns’ quarterback room raises extra questions than solutions.
On Saturday afternoon, the Browns ended Sanders’ draft-day uncertainty, making a last-minute take care of the Seattle Seahawks. Cleveland surrendered its fifth- and sixth-round picks to maneuver as much as the sixth spot within the fifth spherical (144th total), finally securing Sanders.
The transfer instantly stirred pleasure amongst media and followers. Nonetheless, because the preliminary buzz pale, issues emerged-particularly concerning Cleveland’s crowded quarterback room. The group now has 5 quarterbacks on its roster, together with Deshaun Watson, who is predicted to reclaim his beginning position upon getting back from damage.
Shedeur faces an uphill battle
Cleveland had an aggressive offseason, profiting from free company to signal veteran Joe Flacco and buying and selling quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round choose to amass third-year signal-caller Kenny Pickett.
When draft day arrived, the Browns used a third-round choose on former Oregon Geese standout Dillon Gabriel, intensifying the competitors for Sanders. The younger quarterback seems to be the fifth possibility in Cleveland’s pecking order, with Flacco and Pickett anticipated to battle for the beginning job whereas Watson recovers.
Cleveland could preserve 4 quarterbacks on its roster. Watson, Flacco, and Pickett are locked in, leaving a probable showdown between Gabriel and Sanders for the ultimate quarterback spot. As a third-round choose, Gabriel seemingly has the sting.
Did the Browns make a draft-day mistake?
The Browns turned the primary group because the 1971 Houston Oilers to pick out two quarterbacks in the identical draft-a technique that traditionally hasn’t fared properly. Whereas Dan Pastorini and Lynn Dickey carved out strong careers, Dickey solely gained stability after leaving Houston for the Inexperienced Bay Packers in 1975.
Some analysts speculate that Sanders and Gabriel may comply with an analogous trajectory. In that case, Cleveland could have squandered a draft choose that might have helped speed up its rebuild round Watson. Sanders’ destiny hangs within the stability, and the chances seem stacked towards him.
