Shedeur Sanders had a challenging performance against the Los Angeles Rams, which raised questions about his place as QB4 in the Browns’ lineup. This preseason game reinforced the fact that while he showed potential, he is currently behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well as rookie Dillon Gabriel.

The perception that the Browns preferred Gabriel was evident when they selected him in the third round, notably before drafting Sanders two rounds later. This scenario isn’t entirely unique; it reflects a common trend in NFL drafting strategies where the earlier selection often indicates a greater investment from the team.

While Sanders had strong showings during his college career, this preseason has revealed some persistent issues, such as leaving clean pockets and holding onto the ball too long, resulting in avoidable sacks and potential turnovers.

Despite concerns, potential still looms for Sanders. General Manager Andrew Berry emphasized the importance of evaluating player performance based on actual gameplay rather than outside opinions. Moving forward, it remains to be seen if Sanders can leverage his development to challenge for a higher position on the depth chart as the season progresses.