Browns' Shedeur Sanders: 'I'm capable of doing better' than some NFL starters

Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns' third-string quarterback, has said he is capable of performing better than some current NFL starters after watching league play through three weeks. "I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I’m capable of doing better than that," Sanders told ESPN Cleveland. The remark underscored the quarterback development plan for a player the organization drafted with an eye toward future contribution.

Sanders sits behind veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who was drafted two rounds earlier in April. But he says he has prepared as if he could be called upon at any moment. "I don’t think playing or not playing is in my hands. I think based on the situation, if things pan out where I play, then I’ll be out there ready to play. I’m ready to play right now," he said. The Browns named Flacco the starter at the end of training camp, and through three weeks Flacco has not stood out, with Gabriel remaining the backup behind him.

Deion Sanders, Shedeur's father, has publicly predicted his son's first NFL start this season. On the New Heights podcast, he said he had a feeling when it would go down and told his son to be patient and be ready for when Cleveland calls. He declined to specify a date.

The Browns drafted Shedeur with the expectation of developing him, with Flacco serving as a stopgap until one of the rookies is ready. Coaching staff have indicated Gabriel is ahead of Sanders in the early look at the quarterback competition, but the season is still early. The organization has not altered the depth chart through three weeks, and Sanders continues to practice and study behind Flacco and Gabriel while preparing for potential opportunities.