The Cleveland Browns don't know if they'll pick Shedeur Sanders at No. 2, but they do know what isn't going to get in the way.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract is only a problem as long as a new franchise quarterback isn’t in town. With the second pick in a two-quarterback class, Cleveland has an opportunity to find one.
Yet, the work is not done. The Browns must decide who they prefer between Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders – and their preferred candidate still has to fall past the Tennessee Titans or whoever trades up for No. 1.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders talks to quarterback Shedeur Sanders
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Fans and analysts are yet to find a clear favorite, but one potential obstacle for bringing Sanders to Cleveland is his father, Deion Sanders.
Prime Time, Sanders’ coach at Colorado, has been rumored to want a hand in picking the passer’s eventual landing spot. Having found success at Jackson State and then Colorado, Deion Sanders may feel the need to steer his son away from a troublesome landing spot.
Simply put, the Browns aren’t going to give breath to that fire.
“As of now, what Deion Sanders wants for his son does not play a role in their evaluation nor do they care,” Jared Mueller reported.
It isn’t immediately clear whether Cleveland would be viewed as that kind of destination. But until Sanders makes it an issue – which is far from a guarantee – the Browns have little reason to entertain it.
If he does land in Cleveland, the Browns would be getting a poised, accurate passer with a knack for making plays out of structure, even without elite physical tools. He doesn’t project as a turnover-prone quarterback, either.
They could also pivot off of the second pick under center.
“Cleveland will not force selecting a quarterback early just because they have the second pick,” Mueller wrote. “The top pick in the second round and a couple of extra picks to move around with but place a high value on the position which will push quarterbacks up.”
The Browns will hope to remain as flexible as possible as the draft nears, especially as uncertainty looms under center. Exploring other options, though, isn’t a matter of Deion Sanders’ influence. It’s merely due diligence.
