NFL Draft

Not Shedeur Sanders: Browns eye surprising QB pick in 2025 NFL Draft to replace Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns are searching for options to replace Deshaun Watson, and now the AFC North club is eyeing a surprising pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — but Shedeur Sanders is not expected to be their choice.

Shedeur Sanders, quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes
© Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesShedeur Sanders, quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes

With the 2025 NFL Draft around the corner, many fans are wondering what the Cleveland Browns will do. The AFC North team is in need of a quarterback to eventually replace Deshaun Watson, but it appears Shedeur Sanders won’t be their choice.

It’s almost time for hundreds of college football players to take the next step and become professional athletes. Not all of them will hear their names called, and only 32 will have the honor of being selected in the first round.

Shedeur Sanders is considered one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in this year’s class. However, his stock may be slipping, and it seems the Browns are exploring other options with their high pick.

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Report: Browns eye two surprising quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft has been a source of frustration for Browns fans in recent years. The team has struggled to land consistent impact players—especially in the first round—and the pressure is on to finally get it right.

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With another high pick this year, the Browns are expected to address several roster needs, but quarterback may once again be a top priority.

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According to Browns insider Tony Grossi, Cleveland is preparing to move on from Deshaun Watson as their long-term starter to have a rookie replacing him this year.

While many expected the team to target Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, reports now indicate that the front office is eyeing two different names: Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.

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Jalen Milroe in 2023

Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after their 34-20 win over the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 21, 2023.

Both Dart and Milroe have been climbing draft boards in recent weeks, gaining serious traction as potential first-round selections. Not long ago, they were seen as second-tier prospects behind Sanders and Ward, but it now appears that teams have growing doubts about which quarterback truly deserves to be taken first.

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Will the Browns release Deshaun Watson?

With mounting speculation that the Browns will draft a new quarterback, questions remain about Deshaun Watson’s future in Cleveland. The veteran still has time left on his contract, but his grip on the starting job appears shaky.

NFL News: Kirk Cousins reportedly set to decide his future between Falcons and Browns

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However, releasing Watson would result in a significant dead cap hit, making it more likely that the Browns keep him on the roster in 2025—possibly as a backup to their newly drafted quarterback.

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