While Joe Flacco remains the QB1 for the Cleveland Browns, many are debating whether they should give a chance to one of the two rookies acquired through the NFL Draft, knowing that Dillon Gabriel has already seen his first NFL snaps, while Shedeur Sanders awaits his opportunity.
Gabriel, formerly of the Oregon Ducks, made his debut completing 3 of 3 passes for 19 yards in a challenging environment in Baltimore, with a franchise that has started the season 0-2.
This is the current state of the Browns‘ quarterback room, though everything could change if they decide to use one of their high picks to select a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
An expert believes Shedeur Sanders Is the answer
Even if the top prospect in the class were available, NFL analyst Emory Hunt believes Shedeur Sanders is the solution to the issues at the quarterback position for the Browns.
“Shedeur (Sanders) and Cam Ward are far and above better than whoever the top quarterback would be in this class,” Hunt said on the Ross Tucker Podcast. “You have people that get hung up on these names, like (Garrett) Nussmeier and (Drew) Allar. Everyone is just recycling these names.”
This might surprise some, or perhaps not. Both Ward and Sanders were once considered the top prospects in their class, though it’s well-known that the value of the former Colorado Buffaloes star plummeted during the Draft. Ward was selected as the first overall pick by the Tennessee Titans, while Sanders fell to the fifth round. In this context, Hunt asserts that Sanders, who was the sixth quarterback taken in his class, is superior to all quarterbacks available for 2026.
Many defend the idea that Shedeur is an elite quarterback, but the odds of him playing are stacked against him. If Joe Flacco loses his starting role, Dillon Gabriel would likely get the nod, and if he shines, it could push Sanders further into the shadows.
Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has repeatedly stated his commitment to developing Shedeur Sanders, but this doesn’t guarantee he’ll see the field this NFL season. The reality is that the team needs to make decisions soon because, if neither Sanders nor Gabriel takes the reins, the franchise cannot afford to waste more draft picks.
Read the full article here
