As another Browns losing season comes to an end, again the focus turns to the NFL draft. This year is the same as last year for Browns fans and the local media, the team has a high pick so they have to take a quarterback. However, this year there’s a complication, Sheduer Sanders. Last year’s QB draft was not the greatest, but there were those searching for social media clicks who unfortunately convinced a portion of the fan base Sanders was easily the second-best QB in the 2025 draft. Not even close. I said prior to the draft, Sanders would either be a starter in the league in two years or out of the league in two years. After seeing him play this year I’ll amend that to he has the ability to become a good NFL quarterback if he has the right players around him. He still holds on the ball too long and takes sacks when the team can’t afford for him to take sacks. So what are the Browns options for the 2026 season?
The Browns right now have the third pick in the draft and if things happen right, could have the second pick in the draft. Currently they have a 22% chance of getting the first pick in the draft. With either of the top two picks, the Browns could draft a quarterback if Donte Moore declares after the bowl season is over. He and Mendoza are the top two quarterbacks and the gap to number three is a wide one. Here’s where it gets interesting. If the team feels Sanders can be their starter for 2026, they could turn the pick in to more draft assets for 2026 and future years. This would definitely help building a proper NFL offense around Sanders to give him and the team the best chance to succeed in 2026.
The other option is to go ahead and draft a quarterback at pick one or two. Some have speculated if this is the path, the Browns would deal Sanders to another team. Unfortunately, they would probably only recover a fifth-round pick in return. In this scenario, the Browns could still build the offense to win by using trades, free agency and the draft. They’re still going to use trades and free agency no matter what they do with their first-round pick.
An option not discussed, and my option, would be draft either Moore or Mendoza depending on the pick and keeping Sanders to compete for the starting job. Here’s how it works. Use trades and free agency to build the offensive line and wide receiver rooms. Draft a quarterback and continue to improve the offense through the draft. Acquire a veteran quarterback as insurance. When training camp begins let the draftee and Sanders compete for the starting position. Because quarterbacks are always getting hurt in the off-season, deal Gabriel for a pick, probably a conditional pick in 2027. So, the room would be veteran, draft pick/ Sanders, Watson. What they do with Watson is interesting. They could decide and have him as the third string QB and not get a veteran or sign a veteran and use Watson as the emergency QB on the practice squad, were no team will claim him because of his contract.
The Browns have two more games to decide if Sanders is an option in 2026 and I think because GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski like him as a player, he’ll be on the team for the 2026 season and will have a chance to start. The question is, can he beat out a high drafted quarterback. Stay safe and Go Browns.