The Cleveland Browns‘ log-jam at the quarterback position could lead to one highly-heralded prospect’s quick departure from the franchise.
After falling down the draft boards from his first-round projection, Shedeur Sanders was finally selected in the fifth round by Cleveland last month.
But roster limits will likely mean that cuts will have to be made – considering that Cleveland has five quarterbacks.
Currently, in addition to Sanders, the Browns have Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel in their QB Room.
Watson will be out for the start of the season as he recovers from surgery on a torn Achilles tendon.
So with either Flacco or Pickett the projected starter for Week 1, that leaves Sanders as the projected fourth option behind Gabriel – who the Browns drafted two rounds ahead of Sanders this year.
With a backlog at quarterback, Shedeur Sanders could end up getting cut from Cleveland
The Browns starter, Deshaun Watson, is set to miss the start of the season with an injury
So Sanders (L) will fight with three others – veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel (R) – for one of three spots within the organization’s depth chart.
ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi believes that Sanders’ roster spot isn’t ‘guaranteed’ and projects that he’ll have work to do in order to move up the depth chart.
‘Getting drafted behind Gabriel adds an element of uncertainty to Sanders’ rookie season,’ Oyefusi reported.
‘While he was widely ranked ahead of the third-rounder before the draft, Sanders will likely begin training camp as the fourth QB on the depth chart and won’t be guaranteed a roster spot.
‘Cleveland did trade up to draft him, which should afford him more time to develop, but Sanders likely has a longer pathway to the field unless he completely outplays his competition.’
Sanders will need to put in some serious work at training camp to convince the Browns that he’s worth keeping around.
Sanders recently opened up on how he’s been received by the veterans and his fellow rookie with the Browns.
‘Everybody is cool in the room,’ Sanders told Kay Adams in a recent interview. ‘Outside of the room, people try to pit us against each other, but inside the room, we know we one.’
