“`html
Shedeur Sanders, a fifth-round draft pick, finds himself at the bottom of the quarterback depth chart for the Cleveland Browns, a situation that, while seemingly dire, isn’t necessarily a death knell for his roster hopes.
Sanders’ initial fourth-string status reflects his draft position, but opportunities exist to climb the ranks, especially with injuries ahead of him.
- Sanders is listed fourth on the initial depth chart behind Joe Flacco,Kenny Pickett,and Dillon Gabriel.
- He will start the first preseason game against the Panthers with Pickett and Gabriel sidelined by hamstring injuries.
- As a fifth-round pick, Sanders faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, likely needing to outperform Pickett.
- Several other late-round quarterback picks across the league are also buried on their respective depth charts.
When the initial depth chart dropped, Sanders landed at fourth. It’s easy to see why that might feel like a setback, especially for a player once considered a much earlier draft selection. But let’s peel back the layers. Sanders isn’t just a prospect; he’s a player with a unique profile and a chance to prove his worth. He’s not alone in this position, either. Across the league, several other quarterbacks drafted in the later rounds are facing similar uphill battles. For example, Joe Milton (Titans), nathan Rourke (Raiders), Kurtis rourke (49ers), and Quinn Ewers (Dolphins), are listed no higher than third. Even first-overall pick Cameron Ward of the Titans and Tyler shough of the Saints are among the only quarterbacks not buried deep on their respective depth charts.
The real hurdle for Sanders might be simply making the 53-man roster. Teams rarely carry four quarterbacks. Unless an unusual circumstance arises, he’ll need to unseat someone. Realistically, that means competing with Pickett. Joe Flacco is the presumed starter, and Gabriel was a Day 2 selection – teams generally aim to keep those players. Pickett, acquired for a fifth-round pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, represents the most accessible target for Sanders.
while both Sanders and Pickett have similar draft capital attached to them in this context, Sanders is cheaper and offers four years of team control compared to Pickett’s one.If their performance in camp is comparable, those financial and contractual factors could sway the decision in Sanders’ favor. If he simply outperforms Pickett, the choice becomes clearer.
Though, fifth-round picks are far from guaranteed roster spots. While more likely than later-round selections, they can still be cut if they don’t impress during camp. If Sanders doesn’t measure up, it’s unlikely many teams would rush to claim him off waivers, having already passed on him multiple times in the draft. A practice squad role might be a possibility,allowing a team to develop him without immediate roster pressure.
Teams like the Jets and Saints, lacking a clear quarterback of the future, might be options, though they notably passed on Sanders in favor of other players. The Eagles and 49ers are always evaluating quarterback talent, but they also drafted Day 3 quarterbacks this year.The cowboys, known for their flair, could possibly be interested if it doesn’t involve a draft pick, especially given Jerry Jones’ penchant for generating buzz.The Rams, with an extra first-round pick secured for next year’s draft, might also consider a low-risk gamble.
Still, these scenarios feel improbable. If other teams were that keen on sanders, they likely would have drafted him. If the Browns, a team with clear quarterback
