Browns QB depth chart projection: The place do Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel match with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett?

With one week away from the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline, the Cleveland Browns have choices to make on the quarterback place. Saturday’s preseason finale towards the Los Angeles Rams can be final alternative for the teaching employees and entrance workplace to guage their 4 quarterbacks — Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders — who coach Kevin Stefanski says will all be out there to play within the crew’s closing preseason sport. 

Stefanski talked about the timeline for naming a Week 1 starter is that this week. Not solely is naming QB1 necessary for Stefanski, however the Browns additionally should resolve in the event that they’re maintaining 4 quarterbacks on their roster or transferring on from one participant within the group.

“I believe we’ll let it play out as we get nearer to the lower down,” Stefanski mentioned. “These are all conversations that we’re at all times having, however these are powerful choices. You understand, I would wish to maintain everyone, however [it’s] not reasonable.”

Cleveland’s depth chart projection heading into the season comes down to 2 necessary — do the Browns need maintain each rookies and can the franchise resolve to maneuver ahead with all 4 gamers on the place. With that in thoughts, listed here are two projections on how the depth chart might shake out:

If the Browns maintain 4 quarterbacks …

1. Joe Flacco

The second quarterback to signal with the Browns this offseason after the crew did not get Russell Wilson, Flacco has not performed in both of Cleveland’s first two preseason video games — so it is apparent he is the seemingly starter on Sept. 7 towards Cincinnati except there is a sizable commerce supply for his companies. Flacco was the primary participant to take first-team reps throughout OTAs and acquired the lion’s share of starter reps in current weeks with Pickett coping with a hamstring damage. Flacco’s the overwhelming favourite to be Stefanski’s QB1 selection.

2. Kenny Pickett

Pickett suffered the hamstring pressure in July and has not been a full participant in apply since for precautionary causes. Pickett was the primary quarterback acquisition this offseason for the Browns after Cleveland accomplished a commerce with the Philadelphia Eagles in change for Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Nonetheless, he hasn’t been in a position to showcase his expertise but given the hamstring scenario.

3. Dillon Gabriel

The third-round choose within the 2025 NFL Draft made his preseason debut in Saturday’s contest with the Eagles,ending 13 of 18 for 143 yards with an interception, which was returned for a 75-yard landing by Andrew Mukuba, ending his day with a 72.2 passer ranking. 

“Now we have to guard gamers from themselves,” Stefanski mentioned, after ready till the final second to call Gabriel the starter over the weekend. “Generally guys need to play so dangerous. You simply have to verify they will defend themselves to allow them to go carry out. That is all it was. Simply getting as near kickoff as we are able to to make a prudent choice for the younger man.”

The Browns reportedly acquired a number of commerce affords for Gabriel in the course of the draft, however rejected all of them.

4. Shedeur Sanders

The fifth-round choose didn’t play towards Philadelphia with an indirect pressure after throwing a pair of landing passes throughout Cleveland’s preseason opener towards Carolina. It is the most effective any Browns quarterback has appeared over two preseason video games. The damage suffered throughout a joint apply final week got here at a nasty time for Sanders, who was doing his greatest to leap Gabriel within the quarterback pecking order.

If the Browns maintain each rookies …

1. Joe Flacco

The veteran will not be Cleveland’s long-term choice, however he was by no means signed to be that for the franchise. The bridge to a youthful participant, Flacco’s job can be to execute the offense effectively sufficient to offer this crew an opportunity in 2025. Pickett’s hamstring damage leaves him as an unknown of types if Cleveland decides to go along with three quarterbacks this fall (together with each rookies). Pickett’s final in depth enjoying time got here in 2023 when he tossed six landing passes over 12 begins in 2023, the bottom whole within the NFL. Pickett’s within the closing yr of his rookie deal.

2. Dillon Gabriel

The truth that Cleveland took the previous Oregon standout within the third spherical and had no plans on taking one other sign caller later exhibits that common supervisor Andrew Berry and this franchise believes in his skills. Sanders was on the board two rounds later as a “worth” choose in response to the Browns. If there are two quarterbacks who really feel like locks at this level to be on the roster firstly of the season, it is Flacco and Gabriel.

3. Shedeur Sanders

If all 4 quarterbacks do play in Saturday’s preseason finale, Sanders must ascend above the remaining to offer the decision-makers one thing to consider earlier than subsequent week’s closing 53-man roster replace. The dangerous information for Sanders is that if the Browns need to see extra from Pickett, the previous Colorado star might be a roster casualty. The franchise may resolve to place Pickett or Sanders on injured reserve to maintain them throughout the group if transferring ahead with three gamers this season is the plan below middle.