The Cleveland Browns' QB Conundrum: Why 2025 Might Bring an SEC Star, Not Sanders or Gabriel

The Cleveland Browns: a franchise synonymous with a perpetual search for a franchise quarterback. While the team is currently heavily invested in Deshaun Watson, the always-churning NFL rumor mill is already looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, and the projections are raising eyebrows. If Watson's tenure doesn't pan out as hoped, one prominent analyst suggests the Browns will steer clear of flashy names like Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, instead setting their sights on a different breed of signal-caller: an SEC passer.

Shedeur Sanders, the dynamic talent from Colorado, has undeniably captured the nation's attention.

His electrifying play has pundits predicting a top-10 selection in the 2025 Draft, should he declare. However, Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon posits that a player of Sanders' caliber would likely be out of the Browns' reach, given their anticipated draft position. Unless an unforeseen trade catapults them to the top of the board, a player destined for the elite tier like Sanders simply won't be available when the Browns are on the clock.

Furthermore, there's always the possibility Sanders opts for another year in Boulder, further complicating the scenario.

Then there's Dillon Gabriel, the seasoned veteran quarterback from Oregon, whose extensive collegiate experience is certainly appealing. Yet, Gagnon argues that Gabriel's age would be a significant deterrent for the Browns.

By the time the 2025 Draft rolls around, Gabriel would be entering the NFL as a more mature prospect, potentially already in his mid-20s. For a team seeking a long-term developmental project or a direct replacement for an established, experienced quarterback like Watson, investing a high pick in an older rookie doesn't align with traditional draft philosophy, especially when a team often seeks a younger, high-ceiling player to grow with the franchise.

Let's not forget the elephant in the room: Deshaun Watson's monumental $230 million fully guaranteed contract.

The Browns have made an unequivocal, long-term commitment to him. This means any discussion of drafting a future starting quarterback in 2025 is purely speculative and entirely contingent on Watson's performance over the next season and a half. For the Browns to even consider a top-tier quarterback prospect, Watson's tenure in Cleveland would have to take a drastically negative turn, leading to a situation where the team would be forced to reassess its most significant financial investment.

So, if the Browns are indeed forced back to the quarterback drawing board, where would they look? Brad Gagnon's projection points directly to the fertile grounds of the SEC.

The rationale is compelling: SEC quarterbacks often come from pro-style offenses, face elite competition week in and week out, and are accustomed to high-pressure environments. This robust preparation can make them more pro-ready and resilient than prospects from other conferences.

Specifically, two names emerge from the SEC landscape as potential targets: Jalen Milroe from Alabama and Carson Beck from Georgia.

Milroe, with his dynamic athleticism and powerful arm, brings a high ceiling and the experience of playing in a championship program. Beck, on the other hand, offers a more polished pocket presence and impressive accuracy, honed in Georgia's formidable system. Both represent the kind of talent the Browns might pursue – players who possess both the physical tools and the high-level collegiate experience necessary to potentially lead an NFL franchise for years to come.

Given the Browns' infamous track record with quarterbacks – a staggering 36 different starters since 1999 – any future decision at the position will be scrutinized with intense interest.

The possibility of bypassing high-profile, non-SEC names for a proven commodity from the toughest conference in college football speaks volumes about a potential shift in draft strategy, prioritizing readiness and a specific kind of pedigree over pure celebrity status.

While this remains firmly in the realm of speculation, the prediction offers a fascinating glimpse into the strategic thinking that could guide the Cleveland Browns' 2025 NFL Draft.

It's a scenario that hinges entirely on Deshaun Watson's performance, but if the worst-case scenario unfolds, don't be surprised if the Browns' scouts are spending considerable time in SEC country, searching for their next potential franchise quarterback.