The Cleveland Browns were in force at the Colorado Buffaloes’ recent pro day. Depending on the mock draft, the Browns have been linked to hybrid wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or possibly quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Some analysts think Sanders did enough at the workout to ease some of the concerns raised. While questions remain about his game, one thing’s clear — Sanders is the most polarizing quarterback in this draft class.
Browns Hope To Rebound From Deshaun Watson Trade Blunder by Drafting Shedeur Sanders
Regardless of feelings about Sanders, the Browns need a quarterback and are nearing the point of desperation for finding a franchise guy.
Every NFL trade carries some risk, but the move for Deshaun Watson turned out to be a complete bust. So much so that some now rank it among the worst trades in league history.
Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, was supposed to be the answer after the Baker Mayfield era. The Browns sent Houston their first-round picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, a third-rounder in 2023, and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024. In return, Cleveland got Watson and the Texans’ 2024 sixth-rounder.
On top of that haul, they gave Watson a massive, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract — the biggest guaranteed deal in NFL history (it has since been trumped by Josh Allen’s $250 million in guarantees).
That’s why PFSN’s latest mock draft has Cleveland taking a leap and selecting Sanders with the No. 2 overall pick.
“Some may not be completely sold on Shedeur Sanders, but the Cleveland Browns need to find their next quarterback, and Sanders is the best bet,” Tom Moore, senior editor at Dawgs By Nature wrote.
“It may take him a little bit of time to settle in, but he has the smarts and the playmaking ability the team needs, and doubters will look back on the pick as the day the Browns finally got it right at the game’s most important position.”
Sanders’ top trait? His accuracy. If the Browns decide to gamble on him, that’s the skill they’re counting on to translate.
Some believe that NFL quarterbacks need to carry a certain level of “cockiness” to succeed. But there’s still a strong belief in some front offices that a QB should be more of a quiet leader. Sanders doesn’t fit that mold at all.
He’s brash, confident, and unafraid to speak up — just like his dad, Deion Sanders. That bold personality is precisely why he’s so polarizing in this year’s draft. Teams aren’t just weighing his talent but also judging how much potential drama he might bring to the locker room.
Come draft day, all eyes will be on which team decides to roll the dice. Sanders has spent plenty of time talking about how good he’ll be in the NFL. Now, he’s ready to back it up and prove the doubters wrong.