If Not Shedeur Sanders for the Browns — Then Who?
Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss)
Nov 11, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) on the field prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.
The Cleveland Browns are scheduled to pick second on draft night in three weeks, and while the team has a flagrant need at quarterback after the failed Deshaun Watson experiment, many draft heads think Cleveland will choose Penn State EDGE rusher Abdul Carter, Colorado hybrid Travis Hunter, or trade down the board to accumulate more picks.
If Not Shedeur Sanders for the Browns — Then Who?
Those strategies are fine and dandy, almost assured to fetch some quality additions to the Browns’ roster.
But if the Browns don’t take Shedeur Sanders from Colorado, a quarterback, well, what the hell will they do at QB1 in 2025?
If one assumes Kenny Pickett is not the answer, the only non-Watson passer on the current depth chart, these are the alternative options for Cleveland, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely QB1 solution in 2025).
5. Trading a 3rd-Rounder for Anthony Richardson
The Indianapolis Colts onboarded Daniel Jones this offseason after a brief stint on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad.
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) jogs off the field after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Jones probably has 50-50 odds to win the QB1 job over Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis. For Richardson, losing a starting job to Jones would signal short-term doom for his career.
So, there’s a scenario where the Colts already know they prefer Jones in 2025, thus exploring a trade of Richardson, which could result in a phone call from the Browns.
Richardson will likely cost a 3rd- or 4th-Round pick. Cleveland has three of those in this draft.
4. Will Levis via Trade; a 5th-Round Pick
The Titans will draft Cam Ward a few minutes before the Browns hop on the clock, and there’s just no way they keep two cooks in the kitchen via young passers. Levis will have to go.
Tennessee arguably gave up on Levis’ development too prematurely and never did much to empower him in the first place.
Dec 29, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) during the warm ups before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
In Cleveland, Levis would pair with Kevin Stefanski and let the chips fall on his career’s second chapter.
3. Jalen Milroe at Pick No. 67
Milroe isn’t overly accurate, lacks ideal processing speed, and prefers to tuck and run more than an NFL quarterback should.
Correspondingly, his draft stock never really wiggled into Round 1, so the Browns, if they’re in the mood, can snatch him in Round 2 or 3.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrates after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images
It might be odd to start Milroe in Week 1, meaning Pickett could have the QB1 title out of the gate in September, but at least Cleveland would have someone to audition when Pickett inevitably flops.
2. Jaxson Dart at Pick No. 33
Dart struggled against “real” defenses in college and doesn’t possess overly tantalizing deep ball accuracy. That’s why only fringe mock drafts shove him into the 1st Round.
Nov 23, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) warms up before a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images.
An apt quarterback whisperer — Stefanski has some traits like that — could work with Dart, translating to him to the speed of the NFL in time. His athleticism is sweet, his timing in the pocket usually pretty commendable.
Dart will excite some quarterback-needy fan base. Maybe it’ll be the Browns.
1. Trade for Kirk Cousins; a 5th-Rounder
The Falcons keep saying they don’t mind Cousins as their QB2 in 2025. Soon, if not already, his mere presence will represent a distraction — the most expensive QB2 in human history.
To bide time until the Browns formulate an astute quarterback plan, assuming Sanders is not their guy, Cleveland can obtain Cousins from the Falcons during the draft and feature him as QB1.
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates running back Tyler Allgeier’s (25) touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
General manager Andrew Berry might even utilize Cousins, plus Option No. 2 on this, for example.
With Cousins as the guy in 2025, the Browns could also start peeking at the 2026 draft: Arch Manning or Drew Allar.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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