Shedeur Sanders became the fourth healthy quarterback on the Cleveland Browns' 2025 roster when he was drafted in the fifth round of the draft. Now the race is on to see if the rookie QB from Colorado can make the most of it and make his new team.
Sanders' freefall from first-round status was the story of the draft through alls even rounds. His potential comeback from that setback is right in front of them while Deshaun Watson (Achilles') is likely headed to miss the entire season.
Here's breaking down what Sanders needs to do while facing a challenge with a wide range of outcomes, from him taking over as the Browns' new franchise QB to being cut before the season:
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Where does Shedeur Sanders stand on the Browns' QB depth chart?
The Browns, when Watson was injured in 2023, got supersub play by Joe Flacco to help them get into the playoffs, fitting well in coach Kevin Stefanski's offensive system. Since then, they are on their third coordinator under Stefanski, with Tommy Rees succeeding Alex Van Pelt and Ken Dorsey.
Flacco would still be the default veteran bridge, replacing Jameis Winston. He would start if the season started today, given his experience, both overall and with the team. The team also traded for Kenny Pickett right after free agency begain March, about a month before signing Flacco.
Likewise, Pickett, the 2021 Steelers first-round and 2023 Eagles backup, is the No. 2 going into his fourth season on his third team. That leaves Sanders as the co-rookie developmental No. 3 with third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, although he might be listed No. 4.
When will Shedeur Sanders first see the field for the Browns?
The Browns open their rookie minicamp next weekend, May 9-11. That's when Gabriel, Sanders, first-round defensive-tackle Mason Graham, the rest of team's draft picks and undrafted invitees will go to work in Cleveland's Berea, Ohio practice facility.
Although Sanders and Gabriel were being evaluated and compared with the other QB prospects in the class through pre-draft workouts, the Browns will gain a different perspective on their contrasting styles when they take the field together at the same time.
Gabriel got drafted much earlier than expected despite his undersized frame and limited arm because of experience, athleticism,, intangibles and leadership qualities. He should be ready to grind as expected and impress Stefanski and Rees. It's up to Sanders to use his big asset over Gabriel, his stronger-armed better pocket passing, to his advantage early.
Sanders' skill set is a better fit for what Stefanski wants to do. That's why Winson and Flacco have had flashes of success filling in for Watson the past two season. It's also why Kirk Cousins, in Minnesota, was his best QB performer to date. Sanders needs to get even
Browns key offseason competition dates
Once rookie minicamp give Sanders and Gabriel their first taste of NFL practices, the regular OTAs and full-team minicamp schedule are looming. Here's that slate, as well as projected windows for training camp and the preseason action for when the Browns will name a starting quarterback:
- Browns' organized team activities: May 27-28, June 3-4, June 6
- Browns' mandatory minicamp: June 10-12
- Browns' training camp: Mid-July to early August (exact dates TBD)
- Browns' three preseason games: August 7-August 24 (exact dates TBD)
What will Shedeur Sanders need to do to win the starting job?
Sanders needs to impress with his talent. He's got the better arm and physical passing tools than either Gabriel or Pickett. He also needs to flash just a little effective athleticism, where Gabriel and Pickett have a bigger edge.
He also needs to absorb everything he can as soon as possible from Stefanski, Rees, passing game coordinator Chad O'Shea, venerable QB coach Bill Musgrave and yes, the 40-year-old Flacco. Sanders needs to grind and work harder than over to prove the doubters wrong, both on the field with his passing and off the field prepartion.
In short, Sanders must maginify his strengths and mollify the Browns and any concerns about his mentality and mobility. It helps he has a clean slate like Gabriel and Pickett.
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What will get Shedeur Sanders cut from the Browns' roster?
Even though Flacco, Pickett and Gabriel doesn't combine for the most loaded competition in terms of quality and upside, it's still quantity. For now, Sanders needs to climb out of deep hole of developmental heck. The Browns will be fair in giving him a shot, but time isn't on his side to prove himself in three-plus short months of work. They will be a little more patient with him than the usual fifth-round QB, but they won't be too obliging based on his last name.
The Browns need to a have a strong idea of who can give them a possible better long-term QB solution than Watson going into the season. If there's not an answer, they can just target a QB early in the 2026 draft in a much stronger class than this year.
Shedeur Sanders rookie prediction
The Browns need to keep Flacco as the savvy backup. Sanders is then competing with Pickett and Gabriel. Although the team did trade for Pickett, it was only as s mild roster upgrade of form young backup QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Teams also don't typically take quarterbacks in the third round and then cut them as rookies.
That means it will be Pickett vs. Sanders for a spot on the final roster. Flacco can't be seen as a long-term backup, while Gabriel was drafted with that kind of role in mind.
Pickett had his chance to prove himself with the Steelers and Eagles and had limited positive results. Sanders needs to take advantage of their equal newness to the Browns and show that has the superior physical upside and more moxie to possibly be the post-Watson answer. Sanders needs to put his head down and let his talent manifest and he should make the team as at least the No. 2 behind Flacco, which a chance to make multiple starts in 2025.