Mel Kiper's NFL Mock Draft projection for Browns is bad news for Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders’ rookie season lhit its midpoint and his name already seems to be slipping out of the long-term conversation in Cleveland.

In ESPN’s latest “First Draft” mock exercise, analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates projected Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore to the Browns with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A move that shows little confidence in Sanders’ future as the franchise’s quarterback.

“This is tough. Shedeur is there. It doesn’t seem like they’ll ever give Shedeur much of a chance, right?” Kiper said on the podcast. “You let it play out. Maybe it’s Shedeur. Maybe it’s Dillon Gabriel. Maybe it’s Dante Moore. But guess what, you keep trying.”

Yates added to the conversation, calling it “franchise malpractice” for the Browns not to take another quarterback next year. “The Browns have told us, without specifically telling us, how they feel about Shedeur Sanders,” Yates added. “There’s basically zero consideration for him starting right now.”

The projection comes just months after Cleveland selected both Sanders and Gabriel in the 2025 draft. Sanders, the former Colorado standout and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, slid to the fifth round despite a decorated college résumé that included more than 14,000 passing yards, a 70% completion rate, while winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

The ESPN mock sees Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza going first overall to the Saints, followed by Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, Alabama’s Ty Simpson, and a string of Buckeyes before the Browns’ pick. 

For Sanders, it’s another reminder that the NFL’s belief in him is still waiting to catch up to his college production. However, there isn't much faith he'll be in Cleveland for the long haul and we'll wait to see how this plays out. 

More college football news: 

• Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
• Brian Kelly buyout, contract details as LSU Tigers coach
• Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter suffers major blow during rookie season
• Will Lane Kiffin leave Ole Miss? What to know about latest rumors
• Beloved college football mascot diagnosed with cancer