On June 1, 2026 the Cleveland Browns sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, gaining a 2027 first‑round pick and defensive end Verse, a move that could reshape Shedeur Sanders‘s NFL path. The trade arrived just before free agency, signaling a shift from a win‑now approach to a long‑term rebuild.
Shedeur Sanders entered the league as a 2025 second‑round pick, signing a four‑year, $8.5 million rookie deal with a modest fifth‑year option. He has spent his rookie season as a backup while the Browns assemble a new front‑office strategy.
Garrett Trade Signals a New Draft Playbook
The Browns now own two first‑round selections in 2027, a situation not seen since the three‑pick haul of 2018 when Cleveland used the extra capital to select quarterback Baker Mayfield, offensive tackle Austin Corbett and defensive back Denzel Ward. Owner Jimmy Haslam has repeatedly said a franchise quarterback is the ultimate priority, and the extra pick gives Cleveland the leverage to either draft a star QB or package picks for an established veteran. The numbers reveal that teams with two first‑rounders in a single year improve their win total by an average of 2.3 games (source: ESPN).
With cap space freed by moving Garrett—who carried a $31 million dead‑money hit for the 2026 season—the Browns can allocate more money toward offensive upgrades. The front office brass is expected to pursue high‑end receivers such as Marquez Valdes‑Scantling or veteran pass‑catcher Michael Thomas, and to target interior linemen like John Michael Schmitz, further signaling a commitment to a new quarterback era.
Analysts at The Athletic note that the trade also cushions the Browns against a potential draft bust; if a rookie QB fails to develop, the second pick can be used as a trade asset. This flexibility is rare in a league where draft capital is king, and it mirrors the Cleveland model of 2023 when the team leveraged a 2025 second‑rounder to acquire veteran cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Why Sanders’s Contract Matters Now
Sanders’s contract ties him to the Browns through the 2029 season, but the additional pick gives the front office leverage to package selections and move up the draft board. A 2027 first‑rounder could be paired with Sanders in a trade that brings a proven starter to Cleveland, or the team could simply let Sanders become a trade chip to acquire a veteran signal‑caller.
His modest rookie salary—averaging $2.1 million per year—makes him an attractive piece in any deal, and the fifth‑year option provides the Browns with a lever to extend his control if they decide to keep him as a backup. The contract’s structure mirrors that of other recent second‑round QBs, such as Zach Wilson, whose modest deals allowed teams to maneuver without a massive cap hit.
League insiders say the Browns are already fielding offers for Sanders that involve a mid‑round pick and a future draft selection, reflecting the market’s view that he could be a valuable asset if the team pivots toward a veteran quarterback. One source, familiar with the discussions, told The Athletic that the New York Jets have expressed interest in a package that would send a 2027 third‑rounder plus a 2028 conditional pick to Cleveland.
Potential Scenarios for the Quarterback Market
With two 2027 picks, Cleveland could draft a top‑tier talent like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, or they might select a developmental quarterback and trade the other slot. Either path threatens Sanders’s playing time and market value.
If the Browns select a proven college star, they may keep Sanders as a developmental backup, mirroring the approach taken by the New York Giants with Daniel Jones in 2022 when they drafted rookie QB Shane Buechele in the third round and retained Jones as the starter while allowing the rookie to learn.
Conversely, a trade‑for‑experience scenario could see the Browns bring in a veteran such as Kirk Cousins or veteran free agent Deshaun Watson, relegating Sanders to a practice‑squad role. The financial calculus is compelling: Cousins would command roughly $45 million over two years, but the Browns would retain the 2027 picks to offset the cap hit.
Another possibility is a draft‑day trade: Cleveland could draft a quarterback at #3 and flip the #15 pick to a team needing early capital, netting a proven starter and additional picks. This maneuver would leave Sanders as a depth piece with limited upside, but his contract would still be a low‑cost insurance policy.
Shedeur Sanders: A Self‑Contained Look at His Situation
Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, arrived in Cleveland with a reputation for poise and a strong college pedigree from the University of Colorado. In his rookie season, he completed 56 percent of his passes in limited action, throwing for 250 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions over 12 attempts. The numbers reveal a learning curve but also a ceiling that many teams find appealing. His mobility, measured at a 4.6‑second 40‑yard dash, places him above average for pocket‑passers, and his arm strength registers at 55 mph on NFL‑compliant testing, comparable to a mid‑tier starter such as Derek Carr.
Off the field, Sanders is praised for his work ethic and leadership in the locker room. Teammates have cited his film‑study habits and his willingness to mentor younger players, traits that could make him a valuable trade asset. Head coach Mike McDaniel, who is known for his offensive innovation, has publicly stated that he sees Sanders as a “project with upside” and that the quarterback room will be decided by merit rather than draft status.
However, the Browns’ new draft strategy places his future in a precarious balance: either he becomes a cornerstone of a rebuild or a bargaining chip in a push for immediate quarterback stability. The decision will hinge on how the front office evaluates the 2027 QB class, a class that, according to Pro Football Focus, rates an overall 83.2 on the quarterback prospect scale—higher than the 2025 class that produced Bryce Young.
Historical Comparisons: What the League Has Done With Young QBs
The Browns are not the first franchise to draft a quarterback high and keep a second‑rounder as a backup. In 2018, the New York Giants drafted rookie QB Daniel Jones in the first round and retained second‑rounder Sam Darnold as a depth option before trading him in 2021. The move ultimately gave the Giants flexibility but also cost them a potential starter when Darnold blossomed with the Carolina Panthers.
A more recent example is the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, who drafted quarterback Jayden Daniels in the second round while retaining veteran Geno Smith. The Seahawks used the second‑rounder as leverage, eventually trading Daniels for a 2024 third‑round pick when Smith proved he could still lead a playoff run.
These precedents illustrate that the Browns could either let Sanders develop behind a veteran or flip him for premium draft capital. The key differentiator for Cleveland is the presence of two first‑rounders, a luxury that expands their bargaining power beyond what Seattle or New York possessed.
Coaching Strategies and Scheme Fit
Mike McDaniel’s offensive system emphasizes pre‑snap motion, play‑action, and a quick‑release passing game—an environment where a mobile, athletic quarterback can thrive. Sanders’s college tape shows proficiency in RPO (run‑pass option) concepts, a skill set that aligns with McDaniel’s philosophy. Offensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has hinted that the Browns will incorporate more designed quarterback runs in 2027, a nod to Sanders’s 4.6‑second 40‑yard dash.
Nevertheless, the Browns’ offensive line, ranked 23rd by PFF in 2025, remains a liability. Protecting a young quarterback requires either a stout line or a quick‑tempo scheme that mitigates pass‑rush pressure. The free‑agency window will be critical; if Cleveland signs a veteran left tackle like Terron Armstead, Sanders’s development curve could steepen, making him a more attractive long‑term starter.
Impact and What Comes Next
Shedeur Sanders could become a valuable trade chip if the Browns decide to double‑down on a rookie quarterback. For fantasy owners, his upside drops unless a team in need of a starter acquires him, because his projected 2027 fantasy points per game fall from a baseline of 12.3 (as a backup) to under 5 in a depth role.
The front office’s aggressive draft posture reflects a league‑wide trend of building around young, franchise‑defining signal‑callers. Teams such as the Arizona Cardinals (2023) and the Detroit Lions (2024) have demonstrated that securing a top‑tier quarterback early can accelerate a rebuild, but they have also shown the risk of overpaying on draft capital.
In the coming weeks, Cleveland will host free‑agency meetings, evaluate free‑agent quarterback options, and scout the 2027 draft class. Sanders’s agent, Brian Kelsey, has confirmed that he remains open to trade discussions, indicating that the quarterback’s market value could rise if other teams view him as a low‑cost backup with upside. Kelsey told Sports Illustrated that “Shedeur is ready to compete wherever he lands, and the Browns’ assets give us leverage to find the right fit.”
Ultimately, the Garrett trade is a catalyst that forces the Browns to decide whether to build around a home‑grown quarterback or to leverage their newfound draft wealth for an immediate upgrade. Shedeur Sanders stands at the crossroads of that decision, and his next 12 months will determine whether he becomes a franchise cornerstone, a trade asset, or a footnote in Cleveland’s broader rebuild.
What draft position did Shedeur Sanders hold in 2025?
Sanders was selected in the second round, 57th overall, by the Cleveland Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft.
How many total first‑round picks will the Browns have in 2027?
Cleveland will own two first‑round selections in 2027: its own pick and the one acquired from the Rams in the Garrett trade.
What is the cap impact of Sanders’ rookie contract?
His four‑year, $8.5 million deal averages about $2.1 million per year, leaving ample cap space for the Browns to add offensive talent.
