Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward and the push for QBs going high in the NFL draft
We are just days away from the kickoff of the NFL combine and the real start of the NFL offseason. Despite that, NFL rumors have been flying since before last season even ended. As always, including with the Cleveland Browns, what is true or not about the rumors ends up not mattering when NFL free agency, the NFL draft and trades end up going down.
Yet, in the world of almost everyone enjoying behind-the-scenes information, rumors have become the most read, watched and talked about things in sports. We’ve covered many so far:
- What Todd McShay is hearing about Browns thoughts on QBs
- Are the Shedeur Sanders rumors more about the Browns or the player’s desires?
- Lots of Myles Garrett trade rumors are covered in our rumor section
- Cam Ward is likely the first overall pick
- Titans love Ward
- Ward’s coach makes a comment that seems to cement the last two noted rumors
- More Sanders, Browns: Did the QB give away his thoughts on Cleveland?
Full self disclosure, last month I shared the rumors I have heard from sources around the league and connected to the team. That is important to note as we transition from the rumors to trying to understand how teams in the NFL and the NFL’s media seem to be working together this year.
The reality of professional sports is that it is an entertainment business. While that entertainment is based on competition on the field, if it isn’t entertaining it doesn’t matter. Need proof? Look at all the changes that the NFL has made to make sure points are scored. Defense no longer wins championships because the league has decided, based on their data, that offense wins eyeballs, ratings and clicks.
Naturally, that has led to the increased importance of the quarterback position.
Last year’s NFL draft saw an exciting influx of quarterback talent with Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix leading their teams to the NFL playoffs while Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Michael Penix Jr. have given their teams reasons for excitement. This year’s QB draft class, is far less exciting.
Except that the quarterback position, especially for teams like the Browns who need one, not only wins championships but also wins ratings for media companies. So despite Ward and Sanders not having as high of overall grades as most of last year’s first-round quarterbacks, they are still the talk of every TV show, podcast and written article, including most of ours, when it comes to the NFL draft.
How do NFL teams come into play in this equation?
For teams at the top of the draft, the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, pushing the narrative (through the media) that they are focused on quarterbacks with their picks is strategic. With the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets selecting sixth and seventh, and other teams needing a quarterback for now or the future selecting later, the Titans, Browns and Giants are looking to create a trade market in case they decide to pass on a quarterback in the first three picks.
A lot more value in a pick if the team that owns can say “Listen, we either take the QB we like or you give up a haul to get to do the same.” That only works if the rumors swirling around the NFL, including through the media, give credence to the idea of Ward or Sanders being selected early. If everyone “knows” Tennessee and Cleveland are not taking a quarterback, they’ve lost all negotiating leverage.
Even if those teams end up deciding to select Ward and/or Sanders early, helping spread rumors that they might at least give them the best trade offers to weigh before making that decision. It can also help their fanbases think better about the team if/when they select those QBs that the media has been pumping up.
With the importance of quarterbacks in today’s NFL, media organizations profit if there are at least a couple to talk about in each NFL draft. Teams at the top of the draft benefit from pumping up those QBs’ values.
A win-win situation that I expect to continue as the NFL combine gets rolling. (Note: Damon Wolfe will be joining me, along with 13 other SB Nation staff, as credentialed media members at the event in Indianapolis starting Tuesday.)
What do you think of my opinion that some NFL teams and most/all NFL media seem to be benefiting from QBs rumors this year? Do you think Ward and/or Sanders are deserving of being selected early in the first round or are just being pumped up for the reasons noted above?
Share your thoughts in our comment section below