Joel Klatt: Cleveland Browns might be the best possible fit for Shedeur Sanders

Nobody wants to slide in the NFL Draft. However, it’s always more important to go to the right team than it is to go high. Certainly, that could be the case for new Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Despite sliding from being a first round pick on most mock drafts to a fifth round pick, Sanders fits well in Cleveland. That fit is something that Joel Klatt explored on The Joel Klatt Show, explaining that it’s both a place where he can compete for playing time and one where he fits well into the offense.

“It actually might be the best possible fit for him,” Joel Klatt said. “I’m excited for Shedeur because, through this entire process, he got put into a place where it’s kind of chaos now. They drafted Dillon Gabriel. They’ve got Joe Flacco in there who’s 40 years old. Deshaun [Watson] has got the Achilles tear, so I don’t really even factor him in this. You’ve got Kenny Pickett. You’re telling me that Shedeur Sanders can’t go in there and compete and at least win a spot and maybe even start at some point this season with that list of quarterbacks? I believe he can.”

Throughout the years, the Cleveland Browns have had their issues finding a franchise quarterback. Baker Mayfield in 2019 and 2020 was the last quarterback to start every game of the season for the Browns. Before that, it was Tim Couch in 2001. So, with a crowded quarterback room again, there is a desire to figure out who could become that consistent starter.

“This is a terrific fit for him. This is a terrific fit and he’s got the benefit of going through this process and potentially being humbled a little bit and refocusing what’s important, which is the football and not all the off-the-field stuff. It doesn’t matter what he says,” Klatt said. “It doesn’t matter what he wears. It doesn’t matter what he posts. It doesn’t matter what he drives. The only thing that matters from this point on is what he does in the meeting rooms and on the field. Period. That’s it. He’s either going to create a spot for himself, or he won’t. If you’re asking me, at the end of the day, that’s exactly the type of fit that is perfect because now you can just go out there and let the play speak for itself.”

The other key for Joel Klatt is that he believes Shedeur Sanders fits the offense in Cleveland very well. That system fit should make him more comfortable and potentially the best option that the Browns have despite being a late round pick.

“I think the [Kevin] Stefanski offense is perfect for him. Stefanski it’s the San Francisco, it’s the Rams, it’s the Packers, all these [Sean] McVay, [Matt] LaFleur, [Kyle] Shanahan. It’s that style of offense,” Klatt said. “And I can tell you right now, the quarterbacks that succeed in that offense are guys that are point guard driven. That are more accurate than they are arm strength. That have a mind that can get the ball out quickly, and I think Shedeur can do that. I actually believe that on that list of quarterbacks, he may be the best fit for the offense, which again, is a really good fit for him.”

Joel Klatt addresses Shedeur Sanders, how he can find success

Joel Klatt also took the time to directly address Shedeur Sanders. In that, he praised him but cautioned that he needs to first go and find NFL success before embracing anything outside of the sport.

“So, now he goes there and this would be my two cents — Shedeur, you can take this or leave it. I think you are an incredible player, I really do. I know what Colorado was before you got there and I know what they were because of you. In particular, last year. I saw your toughness, I saw your accuracy. I saw everything you brought to the table. And I would say everything I saw on the field that you brought to the table, I want you to bring that to the table in Cleveland. Bring that toughness. Bring that focus. Bring that accuracy. Bring that drive. Bring that acumen. That football IQ acumen that I saw at Colorado,” Klatt said.

“If you leave everything else outside, that will come later. You fall in love with football and then everything that comes with football and being great will come later. The stars with the biggest brands in our sport had to excel first. So, do that because you have the ability to do that, and I know you do.”