Browns’ Surprising QB Decisions: What This Means for Shedeur Sanders’ Pre-Draft Journey

Entering the draft, the Cleveland Browns were expected to look for a rookie quarterback. They did make a move at the position, but it wasn’t what many predicted. Instead of selecting a quarterback early, they chose Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel in the third round.

However, on Saturday, the Browns surprised many by trading up in the fifth round to pick Shedeur Sanders from Colorado. His unexpected drop in the draft raised a lot of eyebrows.

Sanders had a notable encounter during the Combine. One team probed him about an interception from his college days, which is common in these evaluations. He didn’t take full responsibility for the error, suggesting that he and the team might not be a perfect match. This attitude didn’t sit well with some NFL coaches, particularly when he struggled to identify mistakes in a hypothetical offensive scenario.

Off-field concerns played a role in why Sanders, who many believed could go as high as the second overall pick, fell to 144. Being the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders added extra scrutiny. According to ESPN, some scouts had him rated as a late first-round pick, while others saw him as a Day 2 selection. His long wait to be drafted became one of the major topics of the weekend.

In his own words, Sanders reflected, “In life, there’s always a way I can improve. I think I had a great interview with the Browns, and that’s what led them to pick me. Anything outside the organization doesn’t matter to me now.”

Now, Sanders joins a quarterback room that includes veteran Joe Flacco and newcomer Kenny Pickett, along with Gabriel. Andrew Berry, the Browns’ general manager, mentioned that they hadn’t planned to draft two quarterbacks but are now excited about the competition.

Recent statistics indicate that rookie quarterbacks have had varied success in the NFL, with the average draft position for successful starters shifting over the years. In the past decade, 13 quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round, but only a handful have truly thrived. Thus, the pressure is on any rookie signal-caller, including Sanders.

As the offseason progresses, the Browns’ quarterback situation will undoubtedly be a talking point. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this new dynamic unfolds.

For more insights on the draft and rookie performances, check out this article from NFL.com.

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