The Cleveland Browns are perhaps the most intriguing team to watch in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As Cam Ward continues to be projected to the Tennessee Titans with the first overall pick, Cleveland could face a real dilemma with the second. The team’s need for a franchise quarterback is glaring, but with two elite prospects available in other positions, it’s not a pick the team can afford to get wrong.
In a recent collaboration, PFSN asked content creators and beatwriters from all 32 NFL teams to take part in a Mock Draft, each picking for the teams they cover. Tom Moore, Senior Editor at “Dawgs By Nature,” decided that Cleveland should take the gamble on a quarterback.
Browns Predicted to Take Shedeur Sanders With Second Overall Pick
After selecting Shedeur Sanders for his team, Moore makes a strong case for the pick, highlighting the upside of getting a franchise quarterback.
“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. 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.”
Some may have their doubts about Sanders’ ability, but the article highlights the tea’s recent struggles.
“While The Browns have had their highest-ranked quarterbacks over the past two years finish as QB19 (Joe Flacco) and QB24 (Jameis Winston) in their respective seasons, according to PFSN’s QB+ metric, so taking another bite at the apple is a logical move.
“Sanders’ accuracy is his calling card, and Cleveland is betting on that in a big way. Over the past two seasons, a team has finished a season with a sub-60% completion rate and an interception percentage north of 3% three times:2023 Browns, 2024 Browns, 2024 Colts.”
Is Sanders the Right Pick For Cleveland?
Many believe that simply “taking another bite at the apple” would be a negligent way to spend a top-two pick, with top prospects like Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter available. That being said, the team managed to convince Myles Garrett of their ability to compete, and it’s very hard to do that without a quarterback.
Cleveland had the worst per-drive averages of any team in the league in both points scored (1.21) and offensive yards (25.4) in 2024. The team also had the second-highest turnover rate on offense, giving the ball away on 15.9% of drives.
Missing on a quarterback would be severely consequential for the Browns, given the opportunity cost. On the other hand, nothing flips a team’s fortunes like a franchise quarterback; just ask the Washington Commanders.