5th-Round Shedeur Sanders Says He Can Outperform Starters

Shedeur Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round pick, is the Cleveland Browns' third-string quarterback behind veteran Joe Flacco and higher-drafted rookie Dillon Gabriel but says he’s ready to play whenever called upon. Sanders told ESPN Cleveland he believes he can "do better than that" compared with some current NFL starters and insisted he is prepared to step in immediately, while acknowledging playing time isn’t entirely in his control. His father, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has predicted Shedeur will get a chance this season. The Browns have kept Flacco as the starter despite uneven early-season play and, because they used a higher pick on Gabriel, coaches are likely to give Gabriel the first look before Sanders. Sanders arrives after a standout final college season (4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns) and a strong preseason showing but still must prove himself in regular-season action to climb the depth chart.