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Rookie minicamp wasn't supposed to shift the Browns' depth chart. It was just a few light practices, some clipboard drills, and a chance to get the new guys up to speed. But someone forgot to tell Shedeur Sanders.
The fifth-round pick showed up like a quarterback with something to prove-and then proved it. Whether it was staying late to run extra reps with receivers or calmly hitting back-to-back darts during red zone drills, Sanders didn't just look ready. He looked better.
By contrast, third-rounder Dillon Gabriel came in with higher expectations and a stronger draft pedigree. But early reports coming out of Berea made the gap clear. According to NFL Rookie Watch, the competition "wasn't even close." Sanders left coaches impressed. Gabriel left them rubbing their temples.
Mid-Camp Momentum Shift: The Dawg Pound's New Favorite
On paper, Gabriel's college career was historic-nearly 19,000 yards, 155 touchdowns, and the kind of production that usually earns respect in NFL circles. But as Bleacher Report pointed out this week, numbers don't always translate. "He's thinking too much out there," one AFC scout said. "Sanders looks like he's just playing."
That natural flow was on full display in a now-viral video showing Sanders launching an 81.5-yard bomb-far beyond Baker Mayfield's 2020 Hail Mary record of 70.5 yards. The throw wasn't just impressive-it was effortless.
Coach Kevin Stefanski, meanwhile, is playing it close to the vest. He won't say it, but insiders are already pointing to Sanders as the primary challenger to veteran Joe Flacco. Kenny Pickett and Gabriel? They might be fighting for a QB3 role when camp ramps up.
The bigger picture here is what Sanders represents. He's not just a late-round pick exceeding expectations-he's a cultural shift. NIL deals, elite production, NFL bloodline, and the kind of charisma Cleveland hasn't seen since Baker Mayfield's early days. But where Mayfield leaned into defiance, Sanders channels discipline.
Tom Brady reportedly texted Sanders post-draft: "Use it as motivation. You're gonna get your chances. Go take advantage of it." He took it to heart. And then took over rookie camp.
If the Browns decide to bet on upside over draft order, it won't be the first time a quarterback slipped through the cracks only to take control. It might just be the best time.