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The quarterback competition saga for the Cleveland Browns keeps gaining traction, with a new chapter unfolding each day. The AFC North team has never received as much media attention as it does now-not even when they selected Johnny Manziel in the first round back in 2014.
Today, Shedeur Sanders has put the Cleveland Browns on the media map of U.S. sports. The team that chose the former University of Colorado quarterback was bound to draw significant attention-perhaps that's why many teams opted not to draft Deion Sanders' son.
Shedeur Sanders could have entered the NFL as a star had he been picked in the first round, as initially projected. However, he fell in the draft and is now going against the odds, competing with veterans Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Shedeur Sanders could be the starter after week 7
So far, the Cleveland Browns have completed organized team activities (OTAs), and Shedeur Sanders hasn't looked bad-but his true level will be revealed as the practices intensify.
Based on the little that's been seen, many analysts have shared their predictions-some in favor of Sanders, others against. Regardless, he's become the center of attention in Cleveland. Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports was the latest to give his take on the Browns' quarterback.
"The owner of the Browns, Jimmy Haslam, is very impulsive," Cowherd said Monday. "He picked Johnny Manziel over better quarterbacks. He picked Baker Mayfield. He gave Deshaun Watson a ridiculous guaranteed contract despite all the personal allegations-probably the worst contract in the league. In a quarterback room with zero star power except Shedeur Sanders, he's going to get a chance... Many in the NFL believe Haslam is the reason Cleveland finally drafted Shedeur Sanders. He's desperate to be recognized and to have star power."
Cowherd also pointed out that the Browns' opening schedule is very tough-with games against the Bengals, Ravens, Packers, Lions, Vikings, and Steelers-so the opportunity for Sanders might come after those matchups.
"My prediction: if you look at that schedule between Weeks 7 and 10, Shedeur Sanders is going to get his shot," Cowherd said. "Shedeur is on this roster because Jimmy Haslam wanted him on the roster. Haslam is starving for a star quarterback. He doesn't have the Ravens' roster, he doesn't have Burrow, he doesn't have the Steelers' brand. It's a weak roster. They're one or two injuries away from having the weakest wide receiver room in the league. This is a team that is going to be boring offensively. You know what would make them less boring? Shedeur Sanders taking the snaps, win or lose."
Shedeur Sanders has received more positive than negative based on what has been seen in Browns training sessions so far, but he still has a long road ahead-and the chance to write a potentially unforgettable story in the NFL.