Just three starts in, and Shedeur Sanders has the media believing that the Cleveland Browns are believing.
In his third career start, Sanders put up a historic performance in a loss to the Titans. He became the first rookie QB to throw for 300+ yards this season (go figure) and has shown enough promise to convince Cleveland brass (even if there is some reshuffling on that front this offseason) that he could be their QB of the future.
That means they can forgo selecting a third QB in two years at the 2026 NFL Draft, which will feature a much weaker crop of QB prospects than many believed this time last year. ESPN’s Field Yates thinks the Browns will start building around Shedeur Sanders, rather than building over top of him with a new QB.
“The Browns will likely have conversations about the quarterback position, but Shedeur Sanders' growth in three games as the starter has been encouraging. And in this scenario, the two clear-cut best signal-callers in my rankings are off the board. But the Browns also have work to do within the offensive supporting cast, including at offensive tackle and wide receiver.”
As Yates pointed out, Sanders is doing a lot without much help right now. Cleveland's offensive line is not only oft-injured, but low quality as well.
At left tackle, Cam Robinson is one of the worst in the league. Despite not playing until Week 5, he’s allowed six sacks (t-10th-most) and been penalized six times (t-2nd-most). A tackle here might make sense. But so would a wide receiver.
Field Yates has Browns picking top WR in the 2026 draft class
Though they currently have the No. 6 overall pick heading into Week 15, Yates has them picking fourth overall in his latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft. So why not nab the best WR in the 2026 class: Ohio State’s Carnell Tate.
“He has very good size, runs terrific routes and can make contested catches. He would bring a vertical ability, as he averaged 17.5 yards per catch this season. Also of note: Tate has zero drops on 58 targets this season. No Browns wide receiver has reached 40 catches or 500 receiving yards this season. Time for an upgrade.”
Harold Fannin Jr. And David Njoku are a solid tight end pair. Quinshon Judkins also looks like a throwback bell-cow back. But there are not a ton of exciting WR weapons in Sanders’ cache right now. Cleveland’s 190 WR targets are tied for third-fewest in the NFL this season.
If Sanders can become the first Browns QB since 1950 to go for 300+ yards, 3+ TDs, and 1+ rush TDs in the same game with his current sorry group of WRs, just imagine what he can do with a top five pick like Tate at his disposal.
With a Sanders-Tate partnership, there could be a lot more watch flexing in northeastern Ohio in the years to come.