Shedeur Sanders may have emerged as the most productive quarterback in the Cleveland Browns’ crowded quarterback room last season, but with Deshaun Watson back to full health, the former Colorado star now finds himself in an open competition, with many reports suggesting the veteran is the favorite to start in Week 1.
Sanders’ future in Cleveland recently became a topic of discussion after reports surfaced that the Browns were exploring his trade value. While many have dismissed those reports, one analyst has gone even further, arguing that no team would have much interest in acquiring Sanders right now.
Joe DeLeone Believes No Team Would Trade for Shedeur Sanders Unless It’s ‘Really, Really Desperate’
The Browns opened last season with Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback before quickly turning to Dillon Gabriel. After the rookie struggled, Cleveland gave Sanders an opportunity, and he finished with the best record among the three quarterbacks, going 3-4 while throwing for 1,400 yards, completing 56.6% of his passes, and recording seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, Sanders posted an impact score of 56.7, ranking third-worst in the league. Despite the lackluster statistical performance, he was named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement.
Entering the offseason, Watson quickly emerged as the presumed frontrunner because of his experience and sizable contract. Earlier this month, ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo added to the speculation by reporting that the Browns had received inquiries about Sanders’ availability.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator
While many around the league have downplayed those reports, NFL analyst Joe DeLeone believes Sanders currently has very little trade value.
“I feel like he has a better chance of starting. Who is going to trade for Shedeur Sanders right now?” DeLeone said on 92.3 The Fan. “I don’t think anybody looks at Shedeur Sanders and sees him as a proven commodity that’s worth trading for unless there’s a situation where a team suffers a devastating injury to its starter. And I don’t even think anyone really trades for Shedeur Sanders as a replacement starter.
“It’s more like if somebody suddenly finds themselves with a thin quarterback room and needs a backup. But at the end of the day, Shedeur Sanders still has a lot to prove.
“I also think, just like we saw during the draft process, a lot of teams may not want the extra attention and media coverage that comes with having him as a backup quarterback. I think it’s more likely he steps onto the field as Cleveland’s starter at some point this season, probably not Week 1, but at some point, than somebody trading for him because there’s just not a lot of value there unless somebody is really, really desperate.”
REDRAFT THE ENTIRE NFL: PFN’s FREE NFL Ultimate Redraft Simulator
Sanders undoubtedly brings an enormous spotlight wherever he goes and has become one of the league’s most talked-about backup quarterbacks. While that attention can be beneficial, it can also create distractions when he is not starting, with constant speculation surrounding his role, much as it did last season before then-head coach Kevin Stefanski eventually gave him an opportunity.
As DeLeone pointed out, however, the biggest question is whether Sanders can consistently produce at the NFL level. He showed flashes of the arm talent and playmaking ability that once made him a projected No. 1 overall pick, and if recent reports are accurate, he has continued to improve during the offseason.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently reported that Sanders has “bridged the gap” in the Browns’ quarterback competition with Watson, setting up what could be one of training camp’s most closely watched position battles.
