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During the recent NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns drew attention by selecting two quarterbacks-first picking Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round, then surprising everyone by selecting the high-profile Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round, sparking controversy.
It wasn't a shock that the Browns drafted Sanders; months before the draft, he was considered a strong candidate to land in Cleveland-possibly even in the first round. The real surprise was that Gabriel was picked first, followed by Sanders. It's highly unusual for an NFL team to draft two quarterbacks in the same class.
But what's done is done, and now there's a fierce quarterback competition within the Cleveland Browns. There's no clear starter: Deshaun Watson is injured and likely out for 2025, while the team signed veteran Joe Flacco and Super Bowl-winning backup (with the Philadelphia Eagles) Kenny Pickett in free agency-alongside the rookies Sanders and Gabriel.
According to an insider, Gabriel has outperformed Shedeur Sanders
Following rookie minicamp, opinions have been divided-some saw Sanders as the better performer, others favored Gabriel. But one insider in particular believes the Oregon Ducks quarterback has taken the lead after the first practices.
Tony Grossi, an insider with ESPN Cleveland, stated that Gabriel has the edge over Sanders so far, especially in how he throws the ball.
"I think Dillon Gabriel looked a little better on both days," Grossi said. "He throws a tight spiral. He throws a beautiful ball. He's very assertive. He knows the pocket, you can tell-even without pressure. He just has that pocket presence."
One of Sanders' biggest on-field issues is the number of hits he takes, which translates into sacks. That could be a concern in the NFL, as he tends to hold onto the ball too long. In 2024, he was sacked 42 times.
Despite that, Shedeur Sanders has made it clear he's not focused on criticism. One of his biggest goals is to prove that everyone was wrong to overlook him in the draft.
"My job here isn't to prove people wrong. It's to prove myself right," Sanders said. "I fully believe that. What those people say, that's just their opinions. I really don't care. They don't live in my mental space. It doesn't affect me."
Only time will tell, but the battle for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland over the coming months will be an intriguing one. Sanders will look to show he belongs in the NFL-and if he can't secure a spot in Cleveland, he'll work hard to catch the eye of another team.