Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has become the most polarizing prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class, as some clubs now reportedly have Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart as the draft’s QB2 behind only Miami’s Cam Ward.
Nevertheless, ESPN’s Matt Bowen explained on Monday why a Cleveland Browns team that holds the draft’s second pick is his favorite “fit” as it pertains to Sanders’ future.
“Sanders is accurate (74% completion rate last season), plays with poise and shows toughness in the pocket, so I see him as a smart fit for (Cleveland head coach) Kevin Stefanski’s offensive structure,” Bowen wrote. “The Browns could mirror their run and pass games to set Sanders up with play-action opportunities — which in turn create timing throws. That’s a foundational part of their offense. The Browns’ 155 play-action attempts in 2024 were the fourth most in the league. And with Sanders’ processing ability from the pocket, Stefanski could give him leveled reads to distribute the ball.”
The Browns reportedly are “transitioning to a younger roster” after they passed on signing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson in free agency. During a Monday morning appearance on Cleveland sports radio station 92.3 The Fan, Browns reporter Daryl Ruiter said he is now “less convinced” the team will trade for 36-year-old Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons this spring or summer.
It seems likely that quarterback Deshaun Watson has played his final meaningful down of in-game football with the Browns after he suffered multiple Achilles injuries during this past season.
Meanwhile, the previously mentioned Stefanski told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche (h/t Coral Smith) on Sunday that he understands that “teams that are having sustained success” feature quarterbacks who are “there and healthy.” Per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, Stefanski insisted on Monday that he won’t be “standing on tables” campaigning for the Browns to draft Sanders or any other player at No. 2.
“Sanders doesn’t have high-end mobility or arm talent,” Bowen continued, “but he could produce in a Browns system that would maximize his traits.”
Interestingly, NFL Media’s Eric Edholm predicted in his latest mock draft that the Browns could make Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter the draft’s second choice and then trade back into the first round to grab Sanders at pick No. 15. Such a scenario would involve the New York Giants (pick No. 3), Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6), New York Jets (No. 7), New Orleans Saints (No. 9) and Indianapolis Colts (No. 14) all passing on Sanders.
