The rationale behind the Cleveland Browns' selection of Shedeur Sanders and the subsequent steps to follow.

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In a surprising turn of events during NFL draft history, the fifth round saw the Cleveland Browns trade their 166th and 192nd picks to the Seattle Seahawks, allowing them to choose Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the 144th overall selection on Saturday. The choice signified the conclusion of a decline that caused Sanders, once viewed as one of the best quarterbacks in his group, to drop from being a likely first-round pick to a Day 3 choice. The Browns devoted significant time to Sanders during the predraft period. A substantial group of coaches, executives, and owners from the Browns went to Boulder, Colorado, to have dinner with him and his former teammate Travis Hunter the evening before their pro day workout. He is now heading to Cleveland, albeit later than most anticipated. The arrival of Sanders marks a crucial turning point for the Browns' franchise. In the previous month, team owner Jimmy Haslam referred to the 2022 acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson, which cost Cleveland three first-round picks and a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million, as a "big swing-and-miss. " This was the first occasion when someone from the organization openly admitted that the trade was unsuccessful, despite having three seasons of performance data to support this view. Since joining Cleveland, Watson has ranked among the worst quarterbacks in the league and is likely to be sidelined for a considerable part of the 2025 season due to a right Achilles injury. This injury not only concluded his 2024 season but was also re-injured during the offseason.

Sanders marks the second quarterback chosen by the Browns in the 2025 draft, after they picked Dillon Gabriel from Oregon in the third round. Sanders is now part of an updated group of quarterbacks that features Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, both of whom were signed during the offseason. Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi addresses the key questions regarding the team's choice to select a second quarterback in the draft. Additionally, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler provides insights from the league regarding the reasons behind the slide, while draft analyst Steve Muench analyzes Sanders' playing style.

What was the reason behind the Browns choosing Sanders following the selection of Gabriel? Choosing Gabriel instead of Sanders in the third round caught many off guard, but the Browns moving up to select Sanders two rounds afterward eclipsed that surprise. For general manager Andrew Berry, the focus was on getting the most value from a selection at the game's most crucial position. Berry admitted on Saturday that he did not plan to select two quarterbacks in the draft, but he remained open to changes as the situation developed. As Day 3 began, he talked with his team regarding the chance to pursue Sanders if his position in the draft kept declining. Following the selection of numerous players by teams that the Browns had their eye on, Berry concluded that passing on Sanders would mean missing out on significant value.

Berry stated, "When the discount reached a level that seemed quite substantial, we believed that, particularly in comparison to other options we had for utilizing this selection, this was the most logical choice. "

What led to Sanders' decline in the draft?

Sanders' absence of elite skills resulted in him not finding a place in the NFL following the first day. Explaining the slide out from Day 2 is more challenging. It was evident that the league communicated: Teams had concerns regarding Sanders and everything related to his draft profile. Indeed, there were ongoing rumors suggesting that his pre-draft experience was not favorable, especially regarding his interviews. However, some individuals within the league have concluded that setbacks occur when the level of talent does not meet or exceed the potential disadvantages. Distractions are disliked by teams. If they believed that Sanders would bring something to the table for any reason, his skills at the next level weren't impressive enough to make up for all of that. Furthermore, this was a matter of logistics. The three teams that seemed most logical -- the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New Orleans Saints -- preferred different choices instead. By the time the third round arrived, there were few teams looking for a quarterback.

What are the thoughts of others in the league regarding Sanders' drop?

He thinks that the fifth round is somewhat absurd. Although numerous evaluators rated him as a Day 2 selection, I have spoken with several trusted personnel evaluators who assessed him as a late first-round choice. This is the reason the Browns are seen as an appealing choice; they were a team lacking a clear starting player.

Sanders aligns well with Stefanski's offensive style. He can excel using play action. A challenge that Sanders faces is that the Browns selected Gabriel two rounds before him. This demonstrates the narrow margins present in the predraft process. In a quarterback class deemed weaker, teams held vastly different views. Quarterbacks may fall behind other positions because having the right fit is crucial and there are fewer available roles. Combine that with an unreliable predraft preparation, and it can hinder a skilled quarterback like Sanders.

What are the chances that Sanders will get playing time in 2025?

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski expressed that anyone joining the quarterback group will be required to vie for the starting position. Sanders is joining a competition with three others, including the seasoned Flacco, Pickett who was a first-round draft choice, and Gabriel, a rookie still getting used to the professional level.

Following an unsuccessful effort last season to improve the offense for Watson, the Browns dismissed offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and elevated Tommy Rees, the tight ends coach and passing game specialist, to take over the role. The team is revamping its strategy with four new quarterbacks. Flacco has prior experience with Stefanski from the end of the 2023 season, where he achieved a 4-1 record as a starter during the regular season and assisted Cleveland in returning to the playoffs, which led to him receiving the Comeback Player of the Year award.

"Clearly, you cannot split [the practice reps] into '25, 25, 25,' but we are very assured that we will develop a strategy that is equitable for every player and also fair to the team," said Stefanski.

Does this mean the end of the Watson era in Cleveland?

The Browns have indicated that Watson's health condition causes uncertainty about his future. His five-year contract has two years left, and the Browns are required to pay him $46 million for each of the next two years. The team has been functioning under the assumption that he won't be available for the 2025 season, and its latest actions emphasize a push to progress at the quarterback position.

Watson will be included in the roster for the 2025 season, after which the team will need to decide whether to let him go and address the financial impacts that this decision would entail. If the Browns choose to release Watson following the 2025 season using a post-June-1 designation, it will utilize a salary cap strategy permitting teams to release players while spreading the leftover dead cap penalties over two seasons. This move would result in a $135 million dead cap charge, which may be allocated between the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The Denver Broncos faced a historic dead cap charge of $85 million when they let go of quarterback Russell Wilson in March 2024. Should the Browns choose to release Watson following the 2026 season, the dead money would decrease to $53 million.

Shedeur Sanders felt joyful after the Browns picked him. He rejoiced with his family and friends following his selection as the 144th pick by the Browns. How crucial is it for Stefanski and Berry to resolve the QB situation for their future? It is extremely important. Upon their arrival in 2020, the pair took over quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was the No. The first selection in the 2018 draft played a crucial role in shaping him into a reliable starter, contributing to the end of the franchise's 17-year streak without a playoff victory. The connection with the organization deteriorated, prompting them to acquire Watson; later on, Mayfield was dealt to the Carolina Panthers.

Since that time, the Browns have had eight unique quarterbacks take the field, with four of them starting in the 2024 season. Last offseason, extensions were granted to Berry and Stefanski for leading Cleveland to the playoffs two times within four years, and Haslam expressed his trust in them despite the team's 3-14 record in the previous season. He accepted responsibility for the Watson deal and mentioned that he would not rush his team’s decision-making process to compel a selection of a quarterback. However, at this point, the team possesses two young quarterbacks who may potentially provide a solution for the franchise at that position. Haslam has requested patience but indicated that he anticipates the team will be competitive by 2025.

What will the Browns gain by having Sanders play on the field?

Sanders possesses both physical and mental strength. He absorbs tough hits to create opportunities and is capable of raising his performance during crucial moments. He lingered on the ball excessively and attempted to accomplish too much in 2024, yet throughout his career, he has demonstrated the capability to swiftly release the ball and dissect defenses using short to intermediate throws. Sanders has the ability to create openings for receivers by keeping safeties distracted with his gaze and effectively navigating through his progressions when he has adequate time and space. He looks downfield while navigating the pocket and makes throws from off-platform positions. He possesses a strong arm that enables him to execute every throw, and when he delivers the ball promptly and with foresight, he can complete passes even in narrow openings. He is also capable of running to gain first downs. In the past, Stefanski has been successful in coaching quarterbacks known for their accuracy, such as Case Keenum and Kirk Cousins. Both Gabriel and Sanders are well-suited and capable of competing.