The Cleveland Browns, who were once projected to select Shedeur Sanders near the top of the 2025 NFL Draft, ended up making the Colorado quarterback wait much longer than expected—well past their original No. 2 overall pick.
Not only did the Browns pass on Sanders at No. 2 (as did every other team), but they traded the pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who promptly used it to draft Sanders’ Colorado teammate, Travis Hunter. By the end of the weekend, Cleveland finally took Sanders with their final pick of the draft at No. 144 overall in the fifth round.
But it may all be for naught.
MORE: Browns GM calls Shedeur Sanders ‘mispriced’ after draft plan shift, Dillon Gabriel selection
Cleveland’s quarterback room is crowded heading into the season, featuring Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Sanders. Not all five are expected to make the final roster.
CBS Sports' Garrett Podell ranked the Browns as having the third-worst quarterback room in the NFL, calling it the league’s “most chaotic.” That has led to speculation that the Browns could once again be in the market for a quarterback in the 2026 draft.
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ESPN’s Jordan Reid projects that Cleveland will use the extra draft capital it acquired in the trade with the Jaguars to move up to the No. 1 pick next year. His prediction? The Browns will target Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
“The Browns drafted two quarterbacks last week: Dillon Gabriel in Round 3 and Shedeur Sanders in Round 5,” Reid wrote. “But Cleveland didn’t address the position with any of its four picks in the top 70, and it might take a bigger swing next April. Klubnik made huge strides in his second season as a starter, finishing 2024 with 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. He could be the long-term answer.
“Klubnik maintains a strong platform while going through his reads and is consistent no matter the defensive structure. He also has the mobility to escape pressure, but he has B-level arm strength, so it will be important for him to show that he can throw into tight windows this season. His game reminds me a lot of Bo Nix.”
What this means for Sanders—or even Gabriel—is anyone’s guess. But the outlook isn’t promising, especially given how late Sanders was drafted.
“Sanders landed in a place where he’s no sure thing to even make the roster, given that he’ll likely open training camp fourth on the depth chart behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel. (Deshaun Watson is also on the roster but currently rehabbing an Achilles injury.) But he says he’s willing to do whatever it takes to earn a roster spot,” Pro Football Talk’s Michael Davis wrote.
A lot can happen between now and next year’s draft. Klubnik could regress in what is expected to be his final season at Clemson—or he could emerge as the Browns’ next quarterback in what’s been a seemingly endless cycle at the position in franchise history.