DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum college quarterback prospects

Fernando Mendoza, he is a Jr. at Indiana- may or may not come out- he might want to stay at Indiana and NOT get drafted by the Browns due to our QB history. I want a larger QB- he's 6 ft 5 and 225 lbs. Don't want short or small QB- high quality character. He's my favorite.

He is an IT factor QB similar to Baker, like you said, but in my opinion is a little bit too short. I honestly don't want another short QB. He only has an average build so I would hardly call him a powerful athlete but he is OK size wise for a QB. I see him at about the same quality as Sanders and not really an upgrade to Sanders. He is a powerful leader type but then so is Sanders, if he ever gets a chance to show it ...

I like this guy quite a bit but I am not so sure he enters the draft this year. He honestly reminds me a lot of a young Joe Flacco who can run a little bit better. When he runs though ... I don't like how he runs head first because he could get hurt doing that at the NFL level. I really like his footwork though. He always keeps his feet in a base situation to through while he is scanning the field. He feels like the old school traditional pocket passer to me. I feel like he needs to add 10 to 20 plds of muscle though because he is a bit too skinny and will be subject to bones bruises more often in the NFL.

I would certainly love drafting this kid and he would be a HUGE upgrade for us.

1) Mendoza

2) Moore

3) Simpson

Sellers has a high ceiling. I like him. I think another year in college would serve him well. Moore and Simpson will only have one year as a starter under their belts, but look the part.

I can also see a scenario where the Browns go something like: 1a) Fano, 1b) Tate.

Taylen Green at 6'6" 225 lbs is my sneaky good QB. He has a very strong arm and is deceptively fast on his feet. He was clocked at 21 mph which when you consider Gibbs runs at 22 mph is really fast for a QB. What stands out to me when I watch him is how fluid and effortless things look for him. When he runs it looks beautiful and effortless. When he passes it is a smooth and effortless motion. Honestly, I feel like he will do much better at the NFL level than at the college level.

He does have his flaws though. He has the same HERO syndrome Sanders has where he puts to much pressure on himself to make the big play. He will sometimes make throws into coverage that is too tight because he is fearless when throwing the ball. I also feel he doesn't always see the whole field like Mendoza does. He is still young though and I feel like what he is lacking can be improved with good coaching and experience.

He is far above what the Browns currently have on roster and would be a game changing QB for the Browns and an ailing offensive line. He also has zero off field character concerns.

I don't know where he will go in the draft but I would easily give him a first round draft grade. We could probably take a stud WR and then be able to draft this guy afterwards.

He is probably NOT a QB Kevin would like though. To me though, that is probably a good thing atm ...

Those 3 are my top 3 QB's.

I don't think he or any other player would not come out to not get drafted by some team.

I agree Ball. I don't know where we'll be picking but chances are it will be in the top 3 the way things are going. If that's the case and the best QB prospects opt to stay in school then it might behoove us to draft the best OT on the board. We have another 1st pick to draft a QB later in the round. I would hate to see us reach and not get the QB we really wanted. There's a long way to go and many different scenarios to ponder.

If there is no sure-fire QB prospect (which I'm leaning towards if the rankings are shifting as much as the tweet would indicate), then I REALLY hope we don't push all our chips in for a QB. We gotta rebuild the entire Oline as well as the WR room, and I'm not sure how much we can rely on FA due to our continued cap constraints.

There is no such thing as a sure-fire QB prospect. Many busts prove that out. I believe there will be 3 taking in the top 5 to 10 next season. Mendoza, Simpson, and Moore.

Here are the draft profiles of the 3 you mentioned. None of these profiles scream "consensus top QB". I actually read that in Moore's profile as being the reason he's considered as a top pick. Even the one mentioned as a potential top pick (Mendoza) mentions that his draft slot is going to be influenced by his play this year as he has limited time vs top-tier competition.

Passing on a starter-caliber OT or #1WR for a project QB (especially after the season we're having now) would be one of the Brownsiest moves we've done... and that's saying something.



Mendoza
The draft profile for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the 2026 NFL Draft highlights a player with an ideal frame (\(6^{\prime }5",225lbs\)), strong arm, and high accuracy, especially on short-to-intermediate passes. His strengths include excellent pocket presence, intelligence, and the ability to make plays off-script, while a key area for improvement is his tendency to take unnecessary sacks by not scrambling soon enough. Mendoza is considered a top prospect, with some projections listing him as a potential first-round pick. Strengths Arm Strength and Accuracy: Mendoza possesses a strong arm and is an accurate passer, particularly on short and intermediate routes.Pocket Presence and Poise: He shows great poise and patience in the pocket, capable of standing tall under pressure to deliver strikes.Intelligence and Processing: He has a high football IQ, excels at reading defenses pre-snap, and makes good decisions, including adjusting to the blitz.Athleticism: While not a designed runner, he has good athleticism for the position, allowing him to extend plays and throw accurately on the move.Leadership: He has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, as seen in his performance in critical situations like third and fourth downs. Areas for improvement Sacks: He can be reluctant to scramble, leading to unnecessary sacks and hits, an area that needs to be addressed.Deep Ball: His deep ball accuracy has been inconsistent against high-level competition.Physical Durability: As with many quarterbacks, he could benefit from adding more bulk to help withstand hits. Draft outlook High Potential: He is considered one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2026 draft, with some projecting him as a potential first-round pick.Wild Card: His draft stock is influenced by his performance against tougher competition in the Big Ten, which is expected to be a significant factor.Consensus: He is seen as a legitimate contender for the No. 1 overall pick in some projections due to his combination of size, arm talent, and accuracy.

Simpson
Ty Simpson's draft profile for the 2026 NFL Draft highlights his strong arm, agility, poise under pressure, and elite accuracy, which have propelled him into the first-round conversation. While his limited starting experience is a concern, his ability to create plays outside of structure, read the field effectively, and perform in clutch situations are his biggest strengths. He is praised for his pocket feel, quick processing, and rhythm, making him a polished and promising quarterback prospect.
Strengths
Arm and accuracy: Possesses a strong, elastic arm and is considered one of the most accurate throwers in his draft class, with crisp mechanics and good velocity and touch.
Pocket presence and agility: A jittery, agile athlete who is good at extending plays by moving both within the pocket and to escape pressure.
Clutch performance: Excels in high-pressure situations, demonstrated by a high EPA per play in final two-minute drills.
Processing and instincts: Shows strong processing ability and has good instincts for finding open windows and making the right reads.
Poise and control: Is a composed passer who avoids forcing throws and protects the football, while also showing good rhythm and timing.
Weaknesses
Experience: As a first-year starter, he has a small sample size of games, and his lack of experience could be a concern for some scouts.
Deep ball and pressure: Has some issues with deep ball placement and occasional ill-advised throws.
Tendency to extend plays: Sometimes drifts out of clean pockets or extends broken plays too long, though this also showcases his athleticism.
Physical tools: At 6'2" and around 210 pounds, he is smaller than some other early-round quarterbacks.

Dante Moore is a highly-regarded college quarterback at the Oregon Ducks, considered a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. His strengths include excellent decision-making, ability to read defenses, and accurate passing, which have been evident since his high school days as a top recruit. After transferring from UCLA, he has had an impressive season at Oregon, and while his draft eligibility is pending, some analysts project him as a future NFL quarterback.
Player profile
Current Team: Oregon Ducks
Position: Quarterback
College: Oregon (transfer from UCLA)
Draft Eligibility: 2026 NFL Draft
High School: Ranked as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 4 overall player by 247Sports Composite, in the 2023 class
Strengths
Decision-making: Demonstrates the ability to make good decisions on the field.
Defensive reads: Shows a strong understanding of reading defenses.
Arm talent: Is an accurate passer with a strong arm.
Experience: Has starting experience at both UCLA and Oregon.
Potential 2026 NFL Draft outlook
Rising prospect: Has emerged as a potential early-round selection in a draft class that lacks a consensus top quarterback.
Performance: His performance at Oregon has solidified his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Scouting report: His impressive play and high recruiting profile have him on the radar of NFL scouts.

Regardless of what we do at QB, I just hope we can somehow come away with the best tackle prospect.

We have to take one high. We need to draft a franchise QB, improve the OL with an above average tackle, someone really frikking good - and get a difference maker at WR. I haven’t given up on Tillman, he’s our only wideout with size and at times looks the part of a good No. 2.
When he’s healthy.

As always, it depends on the makeup of the draft. If there's a glut of good tackles coming out this year... sure.

I am of the opinion that there are VERY few rookie QBs that would be able to come into this offense and start making it look competent. You would need an Andrew Luck - esque prospect, and I'm not seeing it.

Our Oline needs rebuilt to give Judkins more room to run, and whoever is back there time to throw.

I'm no cap guru so I don't claim to know where we stand in that department but there's also the FA market available. I'm not convinced that's a legitimate way to seriously upgrade the OT position but it may be a useful tool for the interior of the OL.

I was just thinking when I saw this thread of the comments I thought came from our FO after the 25 draft. We traded out of pick #2, but we would have stayed if Cam Ward was available. Since most people agree our offense is pretty bad would he have helped much and taking into consideration we would not have Carson or Graham was that I wise move.

The reason I ask is every year at least 3 to 6 teams are QB desperate and every year draft experts tout at least 3-4 QBs who have what it takes to be solid starters and some FQB. Just think of who the media and fans were suggesting as top five picks before the college season started. 2that come to mind were Arch and Drew Aller. We know what happened, Arch came back to earth and Aleer was what he had been. Good against bad teams, weak against good teams. It's a crap shoot.

I read posters saying take a QB until you get it right. To me that is an exercise in futility. Way too many 1st round QBs are below average and some even busts.

I think it make smore sense to fill holes that are especially weak with players that grade out better than just the best QB prospect. I think our huge weakness at OT, then WR deserve more attention than QB, unless they don't grade out.

I have seen several QB's labeled bust or journey men after teams give u on them after 2 or 3 seasons, then play well in a new locale.

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

Franchise QB's are the rarest position in the NFL to fill. Every team in need of a franchise QB places more value on the QB position than any other position. There's a reason why they do that.

You can get away with an average OL if you have a great QB. You can get away with an average running game if you have a great QB. You can get away with average to just slightly above average WR's if you have a great QB. All of that hinges on having a great QB. Without a great QB you need the entire rest of your O to be filled with outstanding units.

My larger argument (need to build the offensive roster through the draft) is partly based on the assumption that our FA efforts are still going to be limited because of Watson's cap hit.

True. I agree they will be limited but will still be used to fill some holes. Thus my comment on the interior of the OL and not the OT positions. They less expensive.

Maybe we can't do that. The Jags are screwing up that hope. That said we can still get a darn good lineman with that pick. At this point, I don't really care what position on the line the guy plays though tackle would be preferred.

Just a few more comments.

1. I don't want to trade that extra 1st rounder to get a QB. There are several in the range where we can get a good one. At most maybe trade a 3rd or 4th to move up a slot. Even there I would want something else in return, maybe a 5th next year.

2. Unless Sanders takes off to the point we decide we don't need a QB next year, which I doubt, we need to trade Sanders or Gabe, start the season with Zappe or some other journeyman QB to act as the starter and mentor to the new guy, then play the new guy after 3-4 games and never look back for a minimum of 2-3 years.

This QB completion was FUBAR from the start. If we pick a QB in the 1st, he is the QB of the future. No competitions, no discussion. He's the guy. Period.

3. Between Sanders and Gabriel, Gabriel is a better fit as back-up.

You don't draft projects in the first round.

As Peen stated, you commit to your QB you draft with your first pick. There is too much talent missed to draft a maybe. Besides, failing on a first-round quarterback basically puts you in the same position the Browns had with Watson, especially if you trade draft capital to get a quarterback.

As for Watson, that ship is about to sail. If Cleveland drafts their quarterback this year, the Watson contract will phase out during the rookie contract period.

Sadly, teams that draft early need more than a quarterback. In the Titans situation, they are unable to support Cam Ward. It'll not be easy to evaluate Cam. His deficits are enhanced because he lacks support. He will more likely develop bad habits.

The one thing going for the Browns is that they have a lot of support in place. Defense is there. The run game, for the most part, is in place. Say what you will, the receivers are good. Elite? No. If they add an elite receiver, the receiver group instantly becomes great. You have to factor in the tight ends, which are the lifeline for a rookie quarterback.

I believe the "gotta have" left tackle is a bit overstated. It is nice to have an elite tackle, but Jed WIlls proved it can work if you have a solid interior line. It is why I hope Wypler and Titner are the future. Just like receivers, tackles must complement the starting quarterback. Wills was a better fit for a pocket quarterback. Jed was a fish out of water with Watson. Was Jed an elite tackle? No. Was Jed above average? Yes. Could the Browns use a tackle like Jed now? Yes. It is always nice to have elite everywhere! In my opinion, there is no LT better than Jed WIlls in this draft.

With Geno Smith (prior to this year), Darnold, and now Daniel Jones doing what they've been doing, I think we should entertain the idea of a QB reclamation project. You mentioned Cam Ward (it's too early for him to be available to reclaim) but what other underperforming QBs could be a good candidate to try to salvage?

I think we need a starter-caliber LT yesterday, and the best way to do that with cap constraints is going to be the draft. Starter-caliber tackles are tough enough to find, and will require a relatively high draft pick.

I was also thinking about how many franchise QBs exist today so below is a list of QBs who have been referred to as FQBs and some even MVP candidates. I also have included a few who were being praised as future great QBs after their rookie year who have fizzled a bit.

The obvious ones, Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, Herbert, Burrow, Love, Stafford, Goff, Baker. 9 total and all current players.

The young ones who started fast and may have fizzled or are too new to be sure about. C J Stroud, T Lawrence, J Daniels, B Young, Purdy, Jalen Hurts and even Drake Maye.

I guess my point is, when do you really know if you have your guy? Scouts and draft analysts were so sure some of these guys were sure bets.

So many factors affect this. That's why I think building your team first. Yes, a "franchise" QB makes others better, but it doesn't make putrid lineups much better. If most of your OL & your WRs are bad, not sure it matters.

Again, just my 2 cents and I don't claim to be a talent evaluator. Just old enough to have seen way too many 1st picks of all positions flounder. I have never taken the time, nor do I want to, to look at busts or disappointments at other positions also. Maybe all positions are crap shoots.

Didn't the Browns make an attempt at Kenny Pickett as a reclamation project? Those reclamation projects can be fool's gold. The Giants had plenty of peaks and valleys with Daniel Jones. Usually, those reclamation projects at best get you to the playoffs, but that is as far as they can take your team.

I am not sure why you are concerned with cap space. Berry can easily restructure player contracts. You only do that when you are confident in a successful season. Otherwise, you are overspending. There are plenty of articles explaining how Berry has mastered the cap. One of the solutions to his cap structure is successful drafting. Getting past the draft capital lost on the Watson trade has helped.

Browns had better draft a QB with the first pick.

I could see a situation where all most of the picks are spent on offensive players. The OL is in need of a revamp due to age and poor play.

One of the things that always makes me nervous is that most years there's a small handful of QB's taken in the first round and sometimes you gotta squint real hard to get a solid sense that one is truly gonna pop more than anothers. After a year or two, it then becomes pretty clear there was a way bigger difference than was realized before the draft. This is cracking up to be that kind of QB draft IMO. 3 to 5 guys going in the first round, and one, maybe two will work out if it's a good year. I haven't drilled down on any of these guys yet, just catching games here and there. I usually devote an afternoon or two (or three) to it sometime n Jan or Feb when I have a particularly boring weekend.

But I think if you have a real strong feeling that one guy is it, you do what you gotta do. I'd hate to lose that second 1st round pick (and probably more) because we got lotsa needs but we may not be in this position again for a while and we all know there's only one position that you absolutely gotta get right. In 2027 our long national DW nightmare is over and we have a lot more flexibility to add pieces if you have the QB right. What do they say about horseshoes, hand grenades and nuclear war? This ain't that. QB we have to nail... and then we can figure out the how long to stash him, how to build the rest etc etc.

In many ways I agree. Obviously much depends on the final pecking order. As it stands we will be pretty darn high in that order. No way would I trade another 1st to move up a few spots. If we do that we would need to get the teams 2nd rounder as well.

I see 3 QBs who look to be quality candidates. We won't have to do much to get one of them, if anything at all.

No, but not many are. Many teams have won championships without a generational talent at QB. Really, all you need is a good QB. The top 3 all look to have the chance to be a good NFL QB.

To me there are 4 tiers of NFL QB. Fair, average, good, and great. I said fair out of respect, but if some want to say bad, so be it

Fair are the guys who might stick in the league for a number of years as a back-up.

Peen, I totally agree!

If you use a meter to gauge between average and great, it would tell you how significant the talent around him needs to be.

In my opinion, Gabriel, at this time, is slightly below average. There is something to work with there. We will see with Sanders. Hopefully, we see something similar from him.

Why is this important? Having 2-3 quarterbacks on rookie contracts allows Berry to load up on FA talent around the quarterback. This will give Berry time to rebuild the offense through the draft, keeping the team competitive.

You're not wrong, but my point is that you'd need an Andrew Luck type QB to have any type of success with this supporting cast, starting with the pass protectors. We really should get 2 starting OTs... but we gotta get at least 1 (LT) in this upcoming draft. I'm going to assume, even with the inevitable cap manipulation that's coming, we still won't have the space to make any splashy signings after retaining our FAs that we want to keep. Starter-caliber LTs aren't generally found too far outside the top half of the first round.

I am not even sure a Luck or Manning would look all that great without a solid supporting cast. All of this projecting of QB's is predicated on the team finding a few blockers and receivers.

I am not even talking about all-star types. I am just talking about guys who are solid pros that any team in the league would be happy to have and start for except in very rare cases. We need players who can win at the LOS a good deal of the time. It's great if we can get a great player but a great player alone won't win you many games. Just look a Joe and Myles.

I do agree OOBS, I wouldn't mind skipping a QB and just draft receivers and Olinemen through maybe the first 3 rounds. Heck, maybe 4 rounds. Obviously BPA would have to play a role. I wouldn't want to limit my draft to positional needs just to do it.

For the QB, there have been several decent QB reclamations the past several years. Mac Jones has done a good job in SF with Purdy out. I think we should look to take a swing at that guy this off season.

Based on just a few good games? We already have two project QB's. There's no point in making it three.

I can see a scenario where he gets a lot of first round hype, drops in the draft and fans will blame his failures on everyone but him.

I think you and I are interpreting bone's post differently.

I toook it as him saying Arch stays in school and becomes the prize of the 2027 draft.
I read you post as him sayinig Arch coming out and being the guy in the 2026 draft.
Pit - is that an accurate interpretation of your post?
Bone - can you clarify?

If that's the case it was certainly a misunderstanding on my part. With the topic being QB prospects and the discussion was centered around possible QB picks for the Browns in this upcoming draft, you are correct on the impression I drew from his post.

It’s was against 2-8 Arkansas. Their defense is absolutely atrocious.

Arch is not coming out this year and he never was regardless of preseason hype.

I still wonder how many of the QB's that started the season hyped will be talked ab out after the season in a brighter light than they are now. Drake Maye's senior season at North Carolina was not a great performance either. Preseason Top 10 and finished 8-5. He also had 9 INT's that season. But was still drafted top 5 and looks good now.

I understand that is the conventional wisdom, and the wisdom we will probably follow.

I remember more than a few people were talking about trading for JJ this past off season. I really knew very little about him except it made no sense that the Vikes would trade him if they let Darnold walk. Meanwhile, apart from a very rough outing last week Darnold is having another renaissance year. Anyway, this would have been the most Brownsian trade had it happened, him coming here before turning into a frog. Thanksgiving is sometimes being relieved that Browns fans don't always get what they want: Linkipoo

And I'd support that logic. Granted I don't think Sanders is ever going the more than a C+ QB over the long term (a few A games, A few F games, a bunch of D+ to B- games). I just don't think he has the hunger and laser focus and resiliency when things get as inevitably ugly as they do in Cleveastan. I don't know if I'm hoping he balls out or falls out. The latter a little more perhaps because it'll at least cut the bickering come off season. Clarity is a gift, even if it comes in the form of flung poo.

I suspect some of the college QB's that were lesser known before the season began but have become buzzy this season will be advised by agents to strike while the iron is hot. And maybe some of the ones that were hot but have cooled and still have the option will be advised to stay in school. We already know Manning is staying. Every year there are relative lesser knowns that bubble up and whether they stay up or sink back down is anyone's guess (see: Nussmier). But getting that high 1st pick money when your up is smart money. I remember Mendoza being being in the 1st round conversation before the season began but I don't recall Simpson being talked about at all. It was all about Manning, Nussmier, Sellers, and Beck. And Aller. A few others including Mendoza. I would not be one tiny bit surprised to see us bundling picks to move up assuming we win another game or two. I just think everyone is keenly aware that as long as the QB is a ?, we will suck regardless of other pieces. We need a little realistic hope and every other priority comes after QB.

I was shocked in that the 49ers have only 12 sacks this season.

The injuries they've had have been pretty extensive. 4 DEs on IR now (Bosa, Williams [1st Rd], Gross-Matos, Jackson), plus the "brain" in Warner.

I am curious to see what happens with Drew Allar. I don't think he was good this year, but I think he's someone they'll probably be interested in if they can get him at a discount. I'm not sure I'd be interested, but do think his coaches were part of his problem.

Got hurt and wasn't playing great before then. But could be a buy low candidate if they aren't sold on the guys that come out.

I still lean this way, but he might not come out:

I like Simpson. That said, if we draft a QB that high that means we don't think Sanders can carry the load.

If we draft a QB that high, we need to trade or cut Sanders. He is a team wrecker. Maybe not him so much but the fan hype and media hype pulls the team apart. We don't need any of that next season.

Sanders either shows he is our QB of the future, or we trade him. Whoever we draft needs to be designated as the QB of the future. Keep Zappe around to act as mentor for a while, possible start a game or two but it must be clear the new guy is the guy and will be the guy for at least 2-3 seasons.

Gabriel is probably destined to be a good back-up who might stick in the league for 10 years. We need to keep him in that role.

JMO

I'm just wondering what people feel Sanders would have to do in a six game window that would sell this FO that he is the long term future at the QB position? That's a pretty small sample size to gamble your future on.

I agree. We're in a tough spot with Sanders. 6 games probably won't be enough time with him unless he starts lighting it up in those 6 games then we may have an answer but that's not likely. Shedeur probably figures he should be a starter not a backup so if we do draft a QB high I'm sure we would trade him because all the talking heads will say we didn't give him a fair shot and that would be a distraction. We're between a rock and a hard place in this situation. We still don't know definitively what QB's will be coming out in April where we'll be drafting etc. Many questions with no answers at this point. I would like to add that I really like Shedeur and want him to succeed. I feel he does have upside and the potential to be a good solid starter for us.

I didn't think he played well last year but I only watched him in games against good teams. When he was touted as a top 5 pick at the beginning of the season I was very surprised. I looked upo his stats and was surprised to see he threw for a lot of years and TDs. Then I looked at game vs game, and he really had big days against bad teams, and I read he completed 48% of his passes against "good teams" I don't know if that meant winning records or top 25 ranked teams.

I think Mendoza has a huge opportunity Saturday night. Look good vs Ohio and his draft stock will shoot up to #1 overall pick quickly. I am going to watch his performance vs what has been the top defense in college football in 2025. I think right now he nothing really separates him, Simpson, and Moore. Simpson is also going up against a really good college defense Saturday so that will be fun to watch also. All 3 QBs should be in the playoffs and play in pressure packed games which should add some clarity to the drafts peaking order.

I do think some of the QB names that were talked about before the season will become hot topics again after the season. Allar, Beak, Nussmeier, and Kubinec. Drake Maye was on a North Carolina team that was preseason top 10 his Senior year and limped to a disappointing 8-5 record in a weak ACC. He stayed a 1st round prospect and has performed better in the NFL than college. I do not think NFL scouts look at prospects with the same glasses we do. They look at intangibles and over all ability and not the team success we see in QBs. Not all but I think 1 or more of these names may work back into the conversation by April.

I think if he shows steady improvement and is coachable, we’ll move forward with SS.

he has shown flashes of drifting backward under pressure, but it seems like he’s doing less of that. He has a pocket presence but needs to refine it.

It’ll likely be a tough call for the FO in the off-season. Other teams get a QB in the draft and it pans out. Drake Maye, Bo Nix, and Jaxson Dart looks like he has potential.

We need to nail the quarterback position, get it right, in case anyone didn’t already know.

If we don’t have it figured out by the end of 2026, Berry and KS will be hitting the road.

Whomever pulled the trigger on the DW trade will be gone. We can’t fire the owner so…..
guess who’s going?

I fully understand. I also understand he is a team wrecker. As I said, not so much him, but everything that follows him.

We have already heard talk about Stefanski treating him unfairly, being a racist, bla bla bla. It's just going to be never ending if he isn't the starter.

Nope, if we draft a 1st round QB, Sanders has to go. If not we keep him and keep him as starter for the next few years.

I agree.

As I said, if we draft a 1st round QB, then he is the guy and there will be no room for the Sanders baggage.

What you're talking about is the exterior noise. I don't think that affects the locker room as much as we think it does... and if so it has more to do with other underlying issues than the drama itself.

For me, Sanders has to continue to show steady improvement and a base level of competence. If this next QB class is as 'meh' as I think it is, basic competence at the QB position with an infusion of talent around him will do wonders for this team. I think it's promising that he only took 3 sacks in this past game (2 occurring in the fourth quarter when everyone knew we'd be throwing the ball), but we also need to take into account that we are facing passing defenses that are much looser now that we're in the back half of the season (the Buffalo game will be interesting).

While I have no idea how it may effect the locker room if he stays when they draft a first round QB, I do understand how it impacts the PR perspective of things. They just went through the watson debacle and a huge black eye in the PR department. As much as we see the Browns as a sport to the owners and powers that be it's a corporation. Top those who matter most it's strictly a business. There's no way they will want the bad press and the undermining of their first round QB.

I mean if Sanders was some generational type QB who they see as being the future they wouldn't need to draft a QB. But if they draft a QB in round 1 it's obvious they don't see him that way. I don't believe anyone in the Browns ownership sees a constant headache in the PR department over the backup QB meaning the juice is worth the squeeze.

Who would want the press and an almost cult like following undermining your new QB for the sake of a backup QB?

They have to take a QB in Rd 1 next year IMO. I just don't know how a pro QB talent evaluator looks at either of them at this point and is like "...maaaaybe". They're both a long way off. And as for Sanders, I don't think he'll ever get there. He doesn't have the head set. I suspect he'll have some great moments over the next several games. But I think he'll look like he did against the 49ers more than not. He's a D+ to C+ QB. Every 3rd game or so he'll look like an A-. But he won't elevate his teammates. And I like Gabriel but I think his ceiling is apparent.

We unfortunately have to make decisive decisions pretty quickly right now. I suspect that we'll just have to go with the limited evidence in front of us at year's end and I think it'll tell us to go get another guy and make sure he's a good one.

I'm actually way more interested in college games this weekend for this very reason. I think our guy is playing out there somewhere this saturday.