Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Fall and Cleveland Browns QB Situation Sparks Debate

Shedeur Sanders, once considered a potential top pick in the NFL Draft, experienced a dramatic slide, ultimately landing with the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. This unexpected turn of events has ignited discussions about his future prospects and the Browns’ quarterback situation.

Sanders’ journey from a highly touted prospect at Colorado to a late-round selection in Cleveland has been described as one for the history books. Before the draft, many analysts projected him to be a top-three overall pick, citing his arm talent, leadership qualities, and ability to make plays under pressure. However, concerns about his size, decision-making, and the quality of competition he faced in college led to his stock dropping as the draft approached.

The Browns’ decision to draft Sanders in the fifth round further complicated matters. Just two rounds earlier, they selected another quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, adding to an already crowded quarterback room. Before the draft, Cleveland had Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett on their roster.

Watson, the Browns’ primary starter, is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon he reinjured in January. While he aims to be ready for Week 1, his availability remains uncertain. Flacco and Pickett, who started games for other teams last year, provide additional depth and experience.

Robert Griffin III, a former NFL quarterback, has been particularly critical of the situation Sanders finds himself in. On his podcast, Griffin described it as "horrible" and "absolutely terrible" for a young quarterback. He argued that the Browns have essentially "set him up to fail" by placing him fourth on the depth chart.

Griffin elaborated on his concerns in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter). He highlighted the fact that Sanders’ jersey is the top-selling among all rookies, despite being drafted in the fifth round after Gabriel. Griffin believes Sanders brings excitement, sells tickets, and inspires confidence in his teammates. However, he also pointed out that Sanders will likely receive the fewest reps and opportunities among the quarterbacks, creating a potential for dysfunction within the team.

"Shedeur is the headliner of the group. He sells tickets. He sells jerseys. He sells confidence to his teammates who have said they can’t wait to play with him and non-teammates. The Cleveland Browns headliner is their 4th QB on the roster who will get the least amount of reps and opportunity in the group. That’s a set up for dysfunction. That’s the Browns," Griffin wrote on X.

Griffin’s comments have resonated with many fans and analysts who believe Sanders deserves a better opportunity to develop his talent. Some argue that the Browns should consider trading one of their quarterbacks to create a clearer path for Sanders to compete for playing time. Others suggest that the team should prioritize his development by giving him more reps in practice and preseason games.

However, the Browns have defended their decision to draft Sanders, stating that they were simply taking the best player available at the time. They also emphasized the importance of having depth at the quarterback position, given Watson’s injury history and the unpredictable nature of the NFL season.

Cleveland also used two early draft picks on Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart. They also selected Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe and Gabriel before Sanders in the draft.

Adding further complexity to the situation, Sam Darnold, a former first-round pick now with the Seattle Seahawks, has offered advice to Sanders. Darnold, who has experienced his own challenges in the NFL, emphasized the importance of staying positive, working hard, and learning from his mistakes.

"Just keep your head down and work," Darnold said. "Don’t listen to the outside noise. Just focus on what you can control, which is your preparation and your attitude."

The Browns’ quarterback situation is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the 2024 NFL season. Whether Sanders can overcome the obstacles in his path and eventually emerge as a starter remains to be seen. However, his talent, popularity, and the unwavering support of his fans suggest that he has the potential to surprise many people.