The 2025 NFL Draft is inching closer and closer. Top prospects are getting massive downgrades, and dark horses are emerging as top prospects. In a sense, this is ultimately a sheer test of patience and talent, culminating in those 32 picks in the first round. Mock drafts are being touted regularly, building on the hype. But, amidst all this noise, two players are battling it out for their coveted second pick amid touted interest by the Cleveland Browns.
The players are Shedeur Sanders and Abdul Carter. Both the players have enough to convince the team to pick them. And both of them have showcased their prowess at the highest level possible. The only thing now that will be the game changer would be what the Cleveland Browns and GM Andrew Berry are looking for in their coveted 2nd pick of the first round. Will it be a QB, or will it be a top-edge rusher in Abdul Carter to combine forces with their crown jewel, Myles Garrett?
Abdul Carter is a player who became the wall of Penn State in the 2024 season. Notching up 68 total tackles and a whopping 12 sacks. So much was his influence that in the playoff game that Penn State lost against Notre Dame, he executed 5 tackles and an inch-perfect sack in a game that ended by a margin (27-24). Mind you, Carter was playing injured in that game. His knack for beating offensive linemen on a moment’s lapse and his immense pass-rushing potential make him one of the most lethal defensive predators in the draft. And that is why he is leading the draft charts continuously. Now comes Shedeur Sanders.
Well, Sanders offers the same level of athleticism and technical prowess in a whole different department, i.e., quarterback. The elite quarterback’s potential to create passing and rushing plays on the move is one of his most appealing traits. This is something that would benefit NFL franchises like the Cleveland Browns a lot. Couple that with the season of his life last year, where he produced 4,134 passing yards at an impressive completion rate of 74%. This essentially makes him one of the most efficient quarterbacks out there in the draft. So, who should the Cleveland Browns pick?
Browns Army leaning toward Shedeur Sanders as their first pick?
Well, this is something that is fiercely discussed in the Browns’ circles day in and day out. The opinions are heavily divided over the player who will be the biggest difference maker for the Browns. But lately, it seems fans and supporters have become inclined to draft Shedeur Sanders as their pick and are urging to end the woes of the quarterback room that plagued the Browns last season. Since they cycled through 4 different QBs without any significant improvement.
The Cleveland Browns’ subreddit, which has a whopping 275K members, posted a discussion where the members were asked to pick between Sanders and Carter. The fans looked overwhelmingly in favor of a quarterback, especially Shedeur Sanders. One of the users commented, “Can’t ever figure out why a team that had the dead last offense would spend the #2 pick in the draft on their 2nd edge.” While another echoed the same emotion. “We need our long-term QB more than we need another pass rusher. It’s just not even close IMO.”
The calls express a deeper problem that is going on with the Cleveland Browns. They still have to sign a veteran quarterback in their roster from the free agents. And it’s mostly looking like the major veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson have already set out their plans straight. Rodgers is looking towards signing for the NY Giants, while the Steelers have just signed a one-year contract with the Giants. Other users reacting to the subreddit had different insights, although the echoes were the same.
One user simply pointed to the numbers game and said, “Abdul Carter doesn’t score points, and our best QB is Kenny Pickett take a QB for god’s sake.” While another proclaimed Sanders to fit the Browns’ offense like a glove. “For me, it’s always been Sanders. He’s been my favorite QB in this draft since before this season and has everything I like in a QB with his accuracy and mechanics.”
The Cleveland Browns signed Kenny Pickett on March 12, 2025, after they traded him for the QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The player did come to be the starting QB, but we haven’t seen the best of him yet, as he struggled to perform with the Steelers but ultimately won the Super Bowl LIX where he appeared briefly for the last moments for the Eagles. So, yes, the Browns will certainly need to tap into the NFL draft and pick out a QB. But will it be Shedeur?
Well, a user’s feelings, as he said, “People make this so complicated. What do we need? A fric–n QB. Come on” can aptly summarize the mood of the Browns. Both the top QBs, i.e., Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, visited the Browns on their top-30 visit, and both are looking to be quite good from an offensive standpoint. But if a recent mock draft by ‘Sports Illustrated’ is to be believed, Cam Ward and Abdul Carter are the top 2 picks, and Sanders has climbed down to 7th position. This looks quite concerning for Sanders, but the actual game will be seen in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on April 24th.
The post Browns Army Clears Feelings on Shedeur Sanders’ Future as New Draft Update Has Abdul Carter Turning Heads appeared first on EssentiallySports.
