Colorado Buffaloes football legend Shedeur Sanders may have had an unceremonious start to his NFL career, but he still has a shot at turning the script around.
As Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports, Sanders' persistent efforts in practice sessions are finally paying off as he will most likely have a secure spot on the Browns' final 53-man roster.
“As for Sanders, he’ll definitely make the Browns’ roster this season, but he has a steep climb to the starting job, with Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, the Browns’ third-round pick, all in his way,” Cabot wrote.
This implies that Sanders is yet to make any progress in the pecking order. He remains a fourth-string QB on the Browns’ depth chart.
The only thing that will help him make the quantum leap to having the backup QB position will be continued consistent efforts in training camp.
His efforts so far have already earned him some 11-on-11 reps with the starters.
“But after a relatively slow start in spring practices, Sanders came on strong in the final week of organized team activities and mandatory minicamp to keep himself in the conversation for the starting job,” Cabot wrote.
“With an excellent showing from the snap to the end of the play, Sanders earned more quality reps in training camp, which begins in late July. That’s when he’ll get his first reps with the starters, and more work in 11-on-11s.”
As far as having a real shot at becoming the Browns starter goes, Cabot had only one piece of advice for him.
“He’ll need to improve his pre-snap process to have a chance, but he has the high football acumen and work ethic to narrow the gap quickly,” she wrote.
We’ll see how far Sanders gets before the season starts.