For the first time in years, the Cleveland Browns are feeling the heat at the quarterback position, a departure from the usual scenario where one player firmly holds the reins. This offseason, they made some surprising moves in an effort to deepen their roster and prepare for uncertainty. They signed veteran Joe Flacco, hoping to bolster the squad in the event that Deshaun Watson misses a significant portion of the season due to ongoing legal issues. But that was just the beginning. During the draft, the Browns further stirred the pot by selecting not one, but two quarterbacks: Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth.
It’s safe to say that Flacco, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, is expected to take the starting position at least for the immediate future. But he is seen mainly as a temporary solution. The big question lingering in the air is who will fill the void once Flacco hangs up his cleats. With the possibility of the Browns stumbling out of the gate, there’s a strong chance that head coach Kevin Stefanski might look to one of the rookies to assess their potential for long-term success.
So, who stands a better chance of making the leap? Chris Broussard recently weighed in and is leaning toward Shedeur Sanders, the talented quarterback from Colorado. Broussard believes Sanders possesses a higher ceiling than Gabriel, who many experts tagged as more of a career backup. He argues that Sanders was projected as a future starter before his unexpected slide in the draft and anticipates that, as the season unfolds, his talent will come to light.
“It’s got to be Shedeur,” Broussard said, asserting that despite Gabriel being chosen earlier, it’s Sanders who has the potential. “Gabriel’s projections are the career backup at best. Shedeur, at least, has the potential to be a starter, and virtually everyone going into the draft believed that. I think he’ll show it as they go forward.”
With this level of competition, it’s critical for both Sanders and Gabriel to prove their worth. Do they have the tools to be the cornerstone of the franchise? Or will the Browns find themselves back at square one? Broussard is optimistic about Sanders and believes he will emerge as the stronger option.
Nick Wright also offered an interesting perspective on the draft picks, pointing out that, since Gabriel was drafted ahead of Sanders, the latter must put in the work to surpass him on the depth chart. He stressed that Sanders needs to fight for this position, as failing to do so could place him in a tough spot where he’s just not thriving in the NFL like many hoped he would.
Wright expressed confidence in Sanders’ ability to rise to the occasion but also warned that if he can’t outshine Gabriel, it might be a sign that the Browns made the right call on draft day. Ultimately, while neither rookie is anticipated to start the season in the QB1 spot, Wright believes that should the Browns require a quarterback midway through, it’s Sanders who should get the nod.
“The Browns value Gabriel more,” Wright added. “They took him in the third round and Shedeur in the fifth. If Shedeur wants a chance to prove his believers right, his sole focus now must be getting ahead of Gabriel on that roster.”
At this stage, it’s hard to truly gauge whether Sanders or Gabriel is the superior quarterback. Both showcased their capabilities at the college level, but stepping into the professional arena is a different ball game entirely. Their experiences have laid a solid foundation, but they will need more than that to secure a starting role. This is a pivotal time for both quarterbacks to demonstrate they belong on the team and are ready to step up whenever called upon.
Image Source: Chris Broussard @ Instagram
