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Shedeur Sanders Faces Dire Prediction as Browns' Season Approaches

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nathan Dougherty | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 10:09 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders will face an uphill battle to earn a spot on the depth chart with the Cleveland Browns this summer, and one analyst believes his long-term projection could be even more dire.

Sanders is expected to fall behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett as well as fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel as the Browns have taken an all-hands-on-deck approach to replacing the injured Deshaun Watson.

Bleacher Report's Moe Moton believes the team's quarterback additions will not do much to change their fortunes, predicting the Browns will finish in last place in the AFC North. Moton pointed out that the Browns lack playmaking ability on offense.

"In addition to the pocket pressure Browns signal-callers could face, the offense only features one established receiver, Jerry Jeudy," Moton noted.

While Sanders is looking to overcome his NFL draft tumble to the fifth round, Moton believes he will not be the solution -- suggesting that the quarterback of the future isn't even on the roster yet.

"The Browns will remain in the AFC North cellar with an eye on quarterbacks next year," Moton wrote.

The Browns are expected to turn back to Watson after he recovers from a torn Achilles that he re-tore during his rehabilitation last year. Watson has two years remaining on his fully guaranteed, $230 million contract.

But the Browns will need to find a fill-in for the upcoming year, with Watson expected to miss most if not all of the next season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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