After years of subpar quarterback play, the Cleveland Browns have a prime opportunity to replace Deshaun Watson in the upcoming NFL Draft. Holding the No. 2 pick, the Browns are in position to target either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. However, with several teams in need of a quarterback, Cleveland must be wary of another team trading up for the No. 1 pick or the Tennessee Titans selecting a quarterback themselves.
One team to watch closely is the Las Vegas Raiders. With the recent hiring of Pete Carroll as their head coach, the Raiders signal they’re preparing for a potential turnaround. Despite their struggles in recent seasons, much like the Browns, landing a franchise quarterback could change their fortunes.
In a recent mock draft by Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, the Raiders are predicted to make a bold move. Trapasso’s scenario has the Raiders trading up to the No. 1 pick to draft Sanders, with Tom Brady, the team’s new minority owner, reportedly a big fan of the quarterback.
“We cannot rule out the possibility of the Raiders — and new minority owner Tom Brady — making an aggressive push to draft Shedeur Sanders. There’s a chance Sanders’ connection with Brady will make it too dicey for Las Vegas to simply hope and wait for him to fall to No. 6 overall,” Trapasso wrote on January 26.
What Are the Browns’ Options If Sanders Is Off the Table?
Should the Browns miss out on Shedeur Sanders, they’re expected to turn their attention to Cam Ward. However, if the Browns’ front office doesn’t see Ward or Sanders as a clear solution, they might explore trading the pick or selecting a different player.
That said, Cleveland must tread carefully. The Raiders trading up or the Titans selecting a quarterback could leave the Browns scrambling. If Cleveland believes either Ward or Sanders could finally solve their quarterback dilemma, they’ll likely pull the trigger. In Trapasso’s mock draft, that’s precisely what happens, with the Browns drafting Ward at No. 2.
“Cam Ward has some footwork issues to clean up but does have quality improvisational skill and improved from in the pocket in each of his last three seasons in college,” Trapasso explained. “The Browns HAVE to draft a quarterback, right?”
Brady’s Admiration for Sanders
Tom Brady, widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, has high praise for Shedeur Sanders. While the Browns aim to find their own Brady-like franchise leader, landing a generational talent is a rarity in the NFL.
According to Charles Robinson of CBS Sports, Brady’s influence within the Raiders organization could become a factor. Robinson reports that Brady is deeply impressed by Sanders’ qualities on and off the field.
“From what I’ve been told about Brady’s opinion of Sanders — which he has shared with a handful of NFL coaches and executives over the past 18 months — there is a great amount of respect for Sanders’ focus on preparation, his ability to learn and adapt, his accuracy and determination in the pocket, and his toughness to take hits and still be resilient.
“I’ve been told that Brady has also been impressed that Sanders has avoided the pitfalls of being thrust onto the center stage of college football’s limelight after transferring to Colorado to play for his father, Deion.
For the most part, Shedeur has never become a distraction, developed selfish tendencies or created issues with his public profile or fame that overshadowed his team or his game. He also stayed in school for four years and developed, which is something Brady has repeatedly and publicly said he values in a young quarterback,” Robinson wrote on January 2.
Brady’s admiration for Sanders and his influence with the Raiders could complicate matters for Cleveland. Without securing a top-tier quarterback in this draft, the Browns could face another difficult year ahead.
