The Cleveland Browns are not one of the top teams in the NFL this season, but they're a quality watch every week thanks to Myles Garrett and rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
While Garrett is closing in on the NFL's sack record, Sanders has been trying to avoid sacks and cement his status as a quality starter for the Browns.
But, amid his Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills, ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi highlighted one major issue that could lead the Browns to draft Sanders' replacement in an upcoming NFL Draft.
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"After throwing three interceptions against the Bears," Oyefusi writes, "Sanders delivered a performance that mixed moments of magic with mistakes."
While he performed well at times during the Bills' loss, Sanders also had major issues, which cost the Browns on different drives. He threw two interceptions and took multiple drive-ending sacks.
The potential he's shown is enough to be intrigued by, and give him a chance going forward. But the negatives that Sanders has brought might cause the Browns to reconsider giving Sanders a chance to start in the future.
"Sanders continues to show flashes, but he Browns also continue to inch closer to the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft - which could be used on a quarterback," Oyefusi writes.
More: Browns' Shedeur Sanders is under pressure more than any QB since 2009
Cleveland won't waste a draft pick on a quarterback if Sanders proves himself, but the issue is that his inconsistency during his starts might be too hard to ignore for the Browns.
He's the starter for the rest of the 2025 season, barring injury, and while the promise he's shown will be enough to keep him in the NFL for years to come, the low-lights and inconsistency are putting his 2026 job at risk.
He'll close out the year against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. If he can showcase quality, consistent play in those matchups, then the Browns might more strongly consider sticking with Sanders for one more year.
But if Fernando Mendoza is there for the taking, and Sanders struggles down the stretch, then a rookie quarterback might be the Browns' first-round pick in 2026.
Aside from Garrett's sack record chase, the play of Sanders will be a key storyline to watch down the final two games of the season for the Browns.
More Browns News:
- Myles Garrett sacks tracker: Updated 2025 total for Browns star amid chase for NFL single-season record
- Browns' Shedeur Sanders had a near-identical game to Bills' Josh Allen in Week 16
- Injured Browns offensive line falters as Bills pressure Shedeur Sanders late
- Myles Garrett still chasing sack record after close loss to Bills
- How Myles Garrett nearly tied NFL sack record: Why Alex Wright split Josh Allen takedown with Browns star
- Browns get devastating injury news on rookie RB Quinshon Judkins