1 day Ago By Ryan OLeary
The Cleveland Browns are currently a team without a starting quarterback, unless of course you count the recently-acquired Kenny Pickett as a viable option. We view Pickett as more of a high-end backup, and most NFL draft analysts agree. With the Tennessee Titans widely expected to make Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward the No.
1 overall pick in April’s draft, most believe the Browns could be cornered into taking Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders at No. 2, given their untenable situation with Deshaun Watson's twice torn Achilles tendon . Draft analyst Lance Zierlein of NFL.
com dropped a fresh take on Cleveland’s upcoming decision in his most recent first-round projections. He has the Browns taking the best player on their board in Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter at No. 2 overall, with an eye on trading back into the first round depending on how things play out with the remaining quarterbacks.
Zierlein predicts Sanders to fall past the New Orleans Saints No. 9 overall, creating an Aaron Rodgers-like slide on Day 1 of the draft. In this scenario, he believes the Browns will look to make a move to stop Sanders’ slide and land their quarterback of the future.
The Minnesota Vikings represent the perfect trade partner at No. 24 overall, as they’re both ahead of the QB-needy Pittsburgh Steelers and currently hold a league-low four selections for the 2025 NFL Draft. Here was Zierlein’s take on the Browns leapfrogging Pittsburgh in a trade with Minnesota with Sanders being the pick: If the Browns have their eyes on Shedeur Sanders, they would be wise to trade from the 33rd overall pick into the first round, so they can secure the fifth-year option that would then come with Sanders' rookie contract.
It helps that Minnesota, which currently owns just four selections in this draft, needs more picks. It’s easy to see the Vikings moving back to No. 33 overall, which is the first pick of the second round.
That’s a great spot to be, as you get to sit on the clock for an entire day with some sure-fire prospects still on the board. While trade terms were not included in Zierlein’s projection, Cleveland holds pick Nos. 33, 67, 94 and 104.
There’s plenty of real estate there to win a potential bidding war for Minnesota’s pick — Cleveland wouldn’t be only team calling — and draft an elite QB prospect that some believe is worthy of going in the top three. Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Cleveland will enter Day 1 with excellent draft capital, including 10 selections overall . If there’s a player on their radar at No.
24 — Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart could also be a target — a major trade between the Browns and Vikings would be extremely viable..
