NFL insider: Shedeur Sanders is not a lock to make Cleveland Browns roster

Following the NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns found themselves in quite a quarterback situation. Taking Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel pairs them with two veterans, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as OTAs just underway. At some point, somebody is going to have to be released before the season begins.

NFL insider James Palmer believes there is a chance Sanders could be the only left off the roster. He said the fifth-round pick is “not a lock” to make the Cleveland Browns. Given where he was taken in comparison to Gabriel, the possibility is there, even if Palmer does not think the move is ultimately made.

“Fifth-round picks are not a lock to make the roster,” Palmer said. “So, no, I don’t think he is 100% a lock. I think he is one of the highest-selling jerseys in the NFL right now. I think that, sometimes, plays a part, popularity. I hate to say it but it does sometimes, especially in the eyes of the owners. But you don’t draft a guy in the third round (Gabriel) and cut him. I think one of the two, Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco, will make the team… I think Shedeur is not a lock to make the roster. Do I think he does? Yes.”

Palmer also touched on the money situation facing Cleveland when looking at the older guys. Around $4 million is invested in both Flacco and Pickett. Letting one of them walk would not be too big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, likely whoever winds up losing the competition to start.

Flipping back to Sanders, early impressions are being made. Stats from OTA usually are worth a grain of salt but ESPN Cleveland tracked all four quarterbacks on Wednesday. Sanders wound up having the best stats of the bunch, completing seven of nine throws with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

But all things considered, it’s just Day One of OTAs. There is plenty of reps to go around in the coming days, weeks, and even months.

There is a long time between now and Aug 27 at 4 p.m. ET. Rosters will be cut down to 53-men by then and one of the league’s biggest storyline will be surround who the Browns decide to cut ties with. Palmer’s take on the situation — Shedeur Sanders probably is on the right side but far from a guarantee at this moment.