With three months until April’s NFL draft, the Browns present one of the most interesting cases in the first round.
They own the No. 2 pick, and with a number of needs across the field, they could go in a few different directions.
If they do decide to prioritize the quarterback position, though, Colorado star Shedeur Sanders could be available to them.
Even as questions swirl about his high-profile dad, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, potentially stepping in to prevent him from going to certain teams, the Browns, who finished 3-14 last year, don’t think they have any reason have to worry.
“I don’t anticipate that being a problem,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry told reporters ahead of this weekend’s Senior Bowl in Alabama, Cleveland.com reported Tuesday.
In November, during an appearance on FS1’s “Speak” in November, the elder Sanders hinted he would work “privately” to make sure the wrong team didn’t take the quarterback.
“Yeah, but I’m not gonna do it publicly. I’d do it privately,” Sanders told the hosts when asked if he would step in about certain teams taking Shedeur. “I’m gonna be Dad until the cows come home, and with Travis [Hunter] as well.”
This echoed what he said about his son and Hunter in March on an episode of the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast, referencing how Eli Manning never played a down for the Chargers after refusing to play for them,
“I know where I want them to go,” Sanders said in March about Shedeur and Hunter. “So, it’s certain cities that ain’t going to happen. It’s going to be an Eli.”
Cleveland needs stability at quarterback after the team revealed earlier this month that Deshaun Watson underwent surgery for another tear of his right Achilles, something that is expected to keep him out a “significant” portion of 2025.
Sanders could provide that after completing 74 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns during his final collegiate season.
touchdown against Utah at Folsom Field on Nov. 16, 2024. Getty Images
Though Berry said Tuesday that he finds Shedeur Sanders “impressive” and “poised,” he added that the Browns — with nine selections in this draft — do not necessarily need to take a signal-caller with their first pick.
“Look, it’s the most important position so you’re going to do a whole bunch of work on it every year, regardless of where your roster is,” Berry told reporters. But you also don’t want to force it if the right guy isn’t there and feel compelled to reach at that spot. I don’t think there are any hard truths about what you have to do at the top of the draft.
“I think the big thing is you have to do everything in your power to help you make the right decision.”
