Browns NFL draft: QBs worth drafting, avoiding and taking a flyer on

Shedeur Sanders is the big name but what about Cam Ward and who is Kurtis Rourke?

Like leaves during the fall, things can change quickly. Going into the season, many fans (and most of our DBN staff) had brimming optimism and excitement about what the Cleveland Browns could do after a promising 2023 campaign.

Fast forward to today, the team sits at 2-7 with their playoff hope all but officially dashed and will now look forward to evaluating what they have and making decisions. Mainly, the quarterback decision.

Let’s get this out of the way. Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s tenure in Cleveland should be over, it didn’t work out and the team needs to move on.

When you evaluate the QBs of the 2025 NFL Draft class, it’s a pretty weak class. The Browns will have slim pickings in terms of who they want. Which QB should the Browns draft? Which QB should they avoid? Which QB should they take a flyer on? Let’s discuss.

QB that the Browns should draft: Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders

Obviously. Out of all the QBs in this draft class, Colorado Buffs quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the only one the Browns should consider drafting. Sanders is the only quarterback in this class I would give a 1st round grade on.

Everyone should be familiar with Sanders by now. Son of legendary hall of famer and current Colorado Buffs head coach Deion Sanders, Sanders stock has risen tremendously since last season. Again, this QB class isn’t the strongest but Sanders has been more consistent. Sanders has shown the ability to make big-time throws, play with anticipation and timing and can stand in the pocket and take punishment:

Sanders has some flaws. He will often take unnecessary sacks and as terms of his mobility, it’s limited. People will have other issues with Sanders that aren’t necessarily football-related (which I think are valid in some areas but sometimes silly in others).

As far as if Deion doesn’t want his son to play in Cleveland and play somewhere such as Las Vegas, we really don’t know what he wants. Knowing how Deion is and how he moves, if his son were to go to Cleveland and leads them to success that would be a huge story (look at what is going on at Colorado).

Sanders would fit in a Kevin Stefanski offense and Stefanski gets the QB he wants.

QB that the Browns should avoid drafting: Miami QB Cam Ward

Let me be clear here. Miami QB Cam Ward is a talented player. He’s playing exceptionally. However, he is someone that the Browns shouldn’t consider drafting.

Why? His play-style.

When you watch Ward play, his ability to create out of structure, amazing arm talent and high-end athletic ability draws comparisons to many current star quarterbacks (i.e Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen to some degree). This may come as controversial to some, but Ward’s style reminds me of another quarterback that people loved in the draft cycle a few years back: current Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson.

Ward thrives off playing in chaos, similar to Wilson but when you ask him to play within the structure of an offense the results are less than ideal. It’s not bad but it can be a frustrating experience when you have someone that does too much instead of taking the easy layups that are given.

Ward has positives in his game for sure, but he’s not someone that the Browns should consider taking. His play-style wouldn’t mesh with the current offensive coaching staff and he’s more closer to being a Day 2 pick than a Day 1 pick. The flashy plays are cool but the Browns should steer clear of it.

QB that the Browns should take a flyer on: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke

If you aren’t familiar with Kurtis Rourke, allow me to talk you into him. Rourke started his college career at Ohio University and was a starter for two years before transferring to the University of Indiana. Rourke is also the younger brother of Nathan Rourke, who at one point was in the NFL during his tenure after starting his career in the CFL with the BC Lions (Nathan is currently back in the CFL).

Rourke’s draft stock has risen, it’s not necessarily rising him to the 1st round but he will be hovering around Day 2 or early Day 3.

When you are watching Rourke, the one thing that stands out is his ability to dissect defenses with precision. Commands the huddle with confidence, has a good frame and plays with anticipation. He’s 24 and he lacks some form of ability to extend plays out of structure but if he’s someone that can fit in a Cleveland Browns offense, it can be Kurtis Rourke. If he’s available in the late 2nd round or early 3rd, Cleveland shouldn’t hesitate to draft him.

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What are your thoughts on Sanders, Ward and Rourke as we prepare for quarterback talk leading up to the NFL draft?