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Shedeur Sanders’ odds of being Browns’ QB1 higher than Dillon Gabriel’s

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Watson’s Absence Leaves Power Vacuum

The Cleveland Browns are heading into the 2025 NFL season without Deshaun Watson, who is expected to miss the year following his second Achilles injury. With team owner Jimmy Haslam now admitting Watson’s acquisition was a “big swing and miss,” Cleveland is faced with the challenge of sorting through a crowded quarterback room.

General manager Andrew Berry said drafting two quarterbacks wasn’t the initial plan, but that’s exactly what happened — and it has sparked one of the most fascinating quarterback battles in recent memory.

Discover Why Targeting First-Half NFL Lines Can Boost Your Betting Edge and Reduce Variance

A Crowded Depth Chart

The Browns’ current QB roster includes:

  • Kenny Pickett (acquired from the Eagles)
  • Joe Flacco (returning veteran and 2023 playoff hero)
  • Dillon Gabriel (third-round rookie from Oregon)
  • Shedeur Sanders (fifth-round rookie from Colorado)

With Watson ruled out, the Week 1 starter job is officially up for grabs. According to NFL betting picks from DraftKings, Pickett currently leads the odds at -110 to be under center when the season kicks off.

Why Pickett is the Favorite

Despite an inconsistent tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kenny Pickett brings starting experience and youth to the table. At just 26 years old and with 25 career starts under his belt, Pickett appears to be the safe bet to lead Cleveland out of the tunnel — at least for now.

Flacco a Longshot

Veteran Joe Flacco sits way back at +1500 odds. While he famously came off the couch to help lead the Browns to the 2023 playoffs, he turns 40 this season and was likely brought in as insurance more than a long-term solution.

Sanders vs. Gabriel: The Rookie Race

The most intriguing angle? The battle between Shedeur Sanders (+175) and Dillon Gabriel (+475).

Gabriel, 24, was drafted earlier and boasts 18,722 passing yards and 155 touchdowns over six college seasons. His journey included stops at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon — culminating in a College Football Playoff run.

But it’s Sanders, a year younger, who appears to have the Browns’ brass more intrigued. Cleveland traded up to stop his unexpected slide in the fifth round, grabbing him at pick 144. Sanders set records at both Jackson State and Colorado, completing 70.1% of his passes over 50 games and earning second-team All-American honors.

What’s Next for the Browns?

Coach Kevin Stefanski has already hinted that reps in training camp won’t be evenly divided, but insists the team will implement a structure that’s “fair to each player and fair to the team.”

Cleveland’s quarterback situation is primed to be one of the most compelling stories of the NFL offseason. With two dynamic rookies, a playoff-tested veteran, and a young former first-rounder in the mix, the Browns are set for one of the league’s most unpredictable and high-stakes competitions heading into 2025.