The Cleveland Browns are among the teams still looking for a viable starting quarterback this offseason.
Browns starting QB Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles a second time in January. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported his recovery is expected to take seven months (h/t ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi).
On March 10, the Browns acquired QB Kenny Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Pickett - whom the Pittsburgh Steelers selected with pick No. 20 in the 2022 NFL draft - has tossed 15 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions in three seasons with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
The Browns could take another QB with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The Ringer's Todd McShay expects them to target a polarizing passer.
"I truly believe that Shedeur Sanders is in play for the Browns at number two," - @McShay13 .
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/QV1zE7i9Wg
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) March 17, 2025
"Last week, I glossed over Cleveland taking Shedeur Sanders with pick No. 2," McShay said Monday on his podcast. "Right now, I truly believe Shedeur Sanders is in play with that No. 2 pick for the Cleveland Browns.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com also believes the Browns could use the No. 2 pick on Sanders.
"They've spoken so highly of Shedeur Sanders, and Sanders has left such a trail of Browns' breadcrumbs that it still seems to me drafting him at No. 2 is the most likely scenario," Kabot wrote in a story published Sunday.
Concerns about Sanders taking too many sacks remain. In two seasons at Colorado, he was sacked 94 times. The Browns allowed 66 sacks last season, which was the second most in the league.
However, Sanders completed 71.8% of his passes for 7,364 yards and 64 touchdown passes during his time with the Buffaloes.
In a clip posted to ESPN's Instagram in February, Sanders said he likes how the Browns offense "moves around," which is one reason they're the only team he uses in the video game "Madden NFL."
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 9:29 PM.