After years of underwhelming quarterback play, the Cleveland Browns have a crucial opportunity to reshape their future in the upcoming NFL Draft. With the No. 2 overall pick, the Browns are well-positioned to select either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders as their next franchise quarterback. However, their plans could be disrupted by other quarterback-needy teams, including the Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Titans, sitting at No. 1, could take a quarterback themselves, while the Raiders—currently slotted at No. 6—may try to trade up to leapfrog Cleveland. The hiring of Pete Carroll as the Raiders’ head coach and Tom Brady’s influence as their new minority owner suggest the team is aggressively looking to improve.
In a recent CBS Sports mock draft by Chris Trapasso, the Raiders are projected to make a bold move for Sanders. Trapasso highlights Brady’s admiration for the young quarterback as a driving force behind Las Vegas’ potential trade.
“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.
Options for the Browns If Sanders Is Gone
If the Browns miss out on Sanders, they’re expected to pivot to Cam Ward. While Ward has some areas for improvement, including his footwork, his ability to improvise and his growth as a pocket passer make him a compelling option.
In Trapasso’s mock draft, the Browns ultimately select Ward with the No. 2 pick.
“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?”
However, if Cleveland’s front office isn’t sold on Ward or Sanders, they may explore other options, such as trading the pick or targeting a different position of need.
Brady’s Impact on the Raiders and Sanders
Tom Brady’s legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time adds weight to his opinion on prospects like Shedeur Sanders. Brady reportedly holds Sanders in high regard, praising his preparation, adaptability, accuracy, toughness, and ability to stay focused despite the spotlight.
Charles Robinson of CBS Sports elaborated on Brady’s admiration for Sanders in a January 2 report:
“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.”
Brady’s influence in Las Vegas, coupled with his endorsement of Sanders, could spell trouble for the Browns. Cleveland needs to ensure they secure their quarterback of the future, or their struggles could persist into 2025 and beyond.
