Shedeur Sanders’ NFL journey is shaping up to be one of the biggest talking points of this year’s NFL Draft. Some scouts see him as an elite prospect with precision passing skills; others question whether his game will translate to the pros. Either way, one thing is clear-his success in the NFL will depend heavily on where he lands.
One name that keeps surfacing in the conversation? Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Draft analyst Todd McShay believes Stefanski’s system could be exactly what Sanders needs to thrive at the next level. But will the Browns take that chance?
The Stefanski Effect: Why this could be a game-changer for Sanders
Shedeur Sanders is at his best when he has time to throw. In college, he completed 70.1% of his passes, racking up 14,353 yards, 134 touchdowns, and just 27 interceptions-numbers that scream NFL-ready.
That’s where Stefanski comes in. His coaching resume includes turning Case Keenum into an 11-game winner in Minnesota and making Kirk Cousins a Pro Bowler. Even last season, when injuries derailed Cleveland’s season, Joe Flacco stepped in and won four out of five games under Stefanski.
McShay sees a clear pattern: when given a structured system and a competent QB, Stefanski produces wins. The only quarterback he hasn’t been able to win with? Deshaun Watson, whose struggles go beyond the field.
Is Cleveland Even Interested in Shedeur?
As much as the Browns might like Sanders’ potential, they’re already stacking up quarterbacks. They just traded for Kenny Pickett and have been linked to Russell Wilson. If Cleveland’s priority is a proven veteran, Sanders might not even be in their plans.
That raises another question: if not Cleveland, then where?
Some analysts see the New York Giants as a potential landing spot. With Daniel Jones struggling and an offense in desperate need of a spark, drafting Sanders could be a franchise-altering move. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has already mocked Sanders to the Giants in recent projections.
Breaking away from Deion’s shadow
Beyond just finding the right team, Sanders is stepping into the league with added pressure-he’s not just any rookie, he’s Deion Sanders’ son. That legacy brings expectations, media attention, and comparisons that few quarterbacks have to deal with.
Deion himself has acknowledged the challenges of coaching his son, saying it was both rewarding and a unique pressure that most coaches never experience. Now, for the first time, Shedeur will be on his own, forging his own NFL identity.
As the draft inches closer, Sanders’ destination is still up in the air. But one thing is certain-wherever he lands, the coaching staff will be just as important as the talent around him.
If Cleveland or another franchise believes in him, he could be a star. But if he ends up in the wrong system? He might just become another “what if” story.
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