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Shedeur Sanders to Cleveland – See Browns’ Updated Win Total & QB Room

Eric Rosales

By Eric Rosales in NFL Football

Updated: April 27, 2025 at 3:43 am EDT

Published:


Shedeur Sanders running
Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) jogs onto the field during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images
  • Shedeur Sanders finally gets selected in Round 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft
  • Can the Day 3 selection contend for a starting spot with the Browns
  • See the Browns’ updated win total, and if we think they go over or under that number

One of the most confounding NFL Draft sagas has finally come to an end, when Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders had his name called by the Cleveland Browns in Round 5 Saturday.

A consensus Top-5 pick heading into the draft, and ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr’s top QB prospect overall, Sanders’ inexplicable drop to the 144th pick was hard to explain.

It covered the gamut, with anything from talent to attitude to his Hall-of-Fame father Deion’s shadow running too deep and everything else you can imagine being discussed.

But now that he’s on Cleveland, can the kid work his way from Day 3 castoff to NFL starter? Let’s break this down.

Browns Quarterbacks for 2025 Season

PlayerNFL Experience
Joe Flacco17 years
Deshaun Watson7 years
Kenny Pickett3 years
Dillon GabrielRookie
Shedeur SandersRoookie

Sanders Could Compete as Starter

If we’re being honest, in terms of pure talent, Sanders is arguably the most talented pivot in the Cleveland QB room.

Joe Flacco has had some moments over the last few years, including a nice run with these very Browns in 2023, but if he’s your top QB option you’re in a lot of trouble.

We know Deshaun Watson could potentially miss the entire season with an Achilles tear — and even if he is able to come back, there’s the question of if the Browns even want to go that route.

That leaves the real competition to be Kenny Pickett, the 2022 Steelers’ first-round pick that won a title with Philly as a backup and Dillon Gabriel, a fellow rookie that was drafted in Round 3, while fans were still in shock with Shedeur’s tumble.

The Big 12 Player of the Year, Sanders is not a Day 3 pick, at least when evaluating talent. He threw for 4,134 yards with 37 TD’s against 10 interceptions.

YouTube video

While height and athleticism aren’t A+, Sanders’ biggest strength is his accuracy (he completed 74% of his passes) and toughness. He took a ton of sacks with Colorado, but he was willing to stand in there to make plays.

Cleveland also has offensive guru Kevin Stefanski as its head coach, and there’s no doubt in my mind he could harness those strengths and create a workable offense with Sanders at the helm.

If Sanders can harness that large chip on his shoulder with Stefanski’s tutelage, its not out of the question he can get some serious reps and starts for the Browns.

Cleveland Win Totals Betting Odds

TeamWin TotalOver OddsUnder Odds
Cleveland Browns4.5-160+130
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Can Cleveland Take a Step Forward?

Not surprisingly, Cleveland’s draft haul didn’t move the total in terms of their NFL win totals for the coming season, even with nabbing Sanders with a Day 3 pick.

At the start of the month, the books had them at 4.5 wins, and that’s where they stay as the NFL Draft comes to an end.

This is a good chance to take a flier on the Browns. Their defense is legit good, and Myles Garrett got some D-line help with Top 5 pick Mason Graham.

YouTube video

Even if Nick Chubb doesn’t return (the running back is still a free agent), Cleveland beefed up the backfield with the draft, selecting Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins with pick No. 36 then adding SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson in Round 4.

There’s enough framework in place that even average QB play could get the Browns to five wins.

They’ll have to still contend with Baltimore and Cincinnati, and they’re not a favorite in the AFC North NFL Divisional tracker but this is a team on the rise.

If Sanders is the talent many believe him to be, this rebuild could be accelerated faster than we think.

  • Pick: Browns Over 4.5 wins (-160 at DraftKings)
Eric Rosales
Eric Rosales

Sports Writer & Editor

Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.

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