Browns pass on Shedeur Sanders, select other QB in new mock draft

Although Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has said the Browns plan to interview him before the NFL Draft, Cleveland could still target another passer.

In his latest mock draft, NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah has the Browns taking Miami QB Cam Ward with pick No. 2. The Las Vegas Raiders, meanwhile, select Sanders with pick No. 6. 

"The Browns could look to [Sanders' teammate] Travis Hunter here, but they need to usher in a new era at quarterback," Jeremiah wrote of the selection. 

Some scouts feel that Ward is a better prospect than Sanders. In a recent poll from CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, four of six talent evaluators voted the Miami star as the best QB in the class. 

Ward flashed franchise QB potential in his final season with Miami. In 2024, he led the FBS in touchdown passes (39 in 13 games) and won the Davey O'Brien Award as the best QB in college football.

More importantly, Ward may be a better fit for the Browns than Sanders. 

"For Ward, he can play in [Browns head coach] Kevin Stefanski's quarterback-friendly scheme, which includes plenty of pocket movement and designed throws," recently wrote Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, who tabbed the Browns as the best fit for Ward. 

Ward is also better at extending plays than Sanders. Per Pro Football Focus, Ward had 325 scramble yards in 2024, while Sanders had 284 in 13 games. (Scramble yards don't include yardage from designed runs.) 

The Browns likely need a mobile quarterback, as they're still rebuilding a shaky offensive line. In 2024, Cleveland allowed the league's second-most sacks (66).

Ward or Sanders could be solid replacements for Deshaun Watson, who posted a terrible 23.4 QBR in seven games in 2024. He also recently underwent a second surgery on his Achilles tendon. 

Ward will have an opportunity to convince Cleveland that he's the better option at the NFL Scouting Combine, scheduled for Feb. 24 to March 3 in Indianapolis.