With concerns at quarterback and the trade-request drama surrounding All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns’ brass has a pivotal choice to make at No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson has appeared in just 19 games as a Brown after signing a five-year, $230 million deal in 2022.
And it appears that Cleveland will be without the three-time Pro Bowler indefinitely after re-tearing his Achilles, an injury that caused him to miss the bulk of the 2024 season.
Garrett, on the other hand, requested a trade last month with two seasons remaining left on his five-year, $125 million extension signed in 2020. The Browns aren’t obligated to trade the franchise sack leader, but that option remains.
In the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Jordan Reid, Cleveland is projected to address the question at quarterback at No. 2 overall.
“With the Browns facing a lot of pressure to win next season, both internally and externally, they must figure out a long-term solution at quarterback to dig themselves out of the rubble of the failed Deshaun Watson trade,” Reid wrote.
In this scenario, the Giants trade the No. 3 pick to the Tennessee Titans for the top spot to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward.
That would leave the Browns with the opportunity to take Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, “a picture-perfect fit.”
“Sanders is a picture-perfect fit as a polished pocket passer with toughness and excellent ball placement – traits of quarterbacks who have excelled in Kevin Stefanski’s scheme,” Reid wrote. “Sanders has been in the spotlight his entire life and would welcome the challenge of boosting the Browns’ last-place scoring offense.”
Sanders (6-foot-1.5, 212 pounds) finished first nationally in completion percentage (74%), second in the nation in passing touchdowns (37) and fourth in passing yards (4,134) as a senior at Colorado.
The former Jackson State transfer took home Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors leading the Buffaloes to a 9-4 season.
Sanders elected to skip combine workouts last week in Indianapolis, although he did undergo measurements and interview with NFL teams. The Big 12 Pro Day will provide the Browns and other potential suitors with an opportunity to see Sanders work up close (March 18-21).
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.