The Cleveland Browns begin OTAs on Tuesday, May 27 with a crowded quarterback room, which means there will be plenty of competition. The Browns currently have three veterans – Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett – on the roster, along with two rookies – Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders gave us plenty to talk about ahead of the NFL Draft as he slid into the fifth round after being projected to be taken in the the top 10 overall. The Browns ended up selecting him 144th overall, choosing Gabriel ahead of Sanders in the third. As Cleveland gets ready to begin OTAs, it’s not looking promising for Sanders to start either.
Shedeur Sanders’ projections with the Browns
With Watson injured and out likely the entire season, the Browns announced earlier this week that Pickett would serve as the starting quarterback at OTAs, Gabriel would be his backup, and Sanders would be the QB3, or potentially even lower depending on where Flacco factors in.
To make matters worse for Sanders, ESPN’s Mike Clay predicted that Gabriel would continue to hold the edge over Sanders into the season. He predicted five starts for Gabriel and just four for Sandersand projected that Gabriel would throw for 1,205 yards and five touchdowns, but that Sanders would only throw for 925 yards and four touchdowns.
Still, Sanders has reportedly impressed the Browns coaches during rookie minicamp with his passing accuracywhere he holds the edge, according to Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson. So while one analyst suggests he’ll fall to the QB3 role, another suggests he could make a run to be the starter.
“On the field, Sanders has shown high-level accuracy and anticipation during the rookie minicamp seven-on-seven throwing drills,” Parson said. “He is getting the ball out with precision and shows good placement. Who the Browns’ franchise QB will be is unknown, but Sanders has the most passing skill and potential on their roster to earn that title.”
Shedeur Sanders reportedly had Browns coaches “shocked” at his precision and accuracy with the short time they had with him at rookie minicamp.
Sanders reportedly was throwing the ball with the “touch” of a 10-year NFL veteran.
Sanders reportedly has “goals” of winning the QB1… pic.twitter.com/DTo3kUCKMY
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) May 19, 2025
Both rookies are expected to see some playing time due to the uncertainty around the veterans. If the Browns end up trading either Flacco or Pickett, or both, it could shift the depth chart and open up an early opportunity for Gabriel or Sanders – depending on how well each of them performs in training camp.
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