ESPN Analyst Sides With Shedeur Sanders Over Deshaun Watson in Browns QB Battle

Dan Graziano projects the rookie as the most likely Week 1 starter over the veteran Watson

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:41pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football game in progress, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in a palette of earthy browns, oranges, and blues, conveying the conceptual tension and uncertainty of the Browns' quarterback situation.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the uncertainty surrounding the Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition between veteran Deshaun Watson and promising rookie Shedeur Sanders.Cleveland Today

ESPN analyst Dan Graziano believes Shedeur Sanders, not Deshaun Watson, is the most likely starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns to open the 2026 NFL season. Graziano cited Watson's limited playing time over the past five years and the financial baggage attached to his contract as reasons why the Browns should give the fifth-round rookie Sanders a chance to prove himself as the team's QB1.

Why it matters

The Browns' quarterback situation has been in flux since they traded for Watson in 2022. After missing most of the last two seasons due to injury and suspension, Watson's future in Cleveland is uncertain. Giving Sanders, a promising young prospect, the opportunity to start could provide a fresh start for the Browns' offense under new head coach Todd Monken.

The details

Graziano dismissed Browns owner Jimmy Haslam's recent comments expressing confidence in Watson reclaiming the starting job. He pointed to Watson's limited playing time over the past five years and the team's lack of certainty about what they'll get from him. In contrast, Graziano believes Sanders, who started the final seven games of the 2025 season, represents the Browns' best chance to open the 2026 campaign with a capable starting quarterback.

  • In the final 7 games of the 2025 season, Sanders threw for 1,400 yards with 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
  • Graziano made his comments about the Browns' quarterback situation during a recent broadcast of ESPN's 'Get Up'.

The players

Shedeur Sanders

A fifth-round rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 2025 who started the final 7 games of the season.

Deshaun Watson

The veteran quarterback for the Cleveland Browns who has played in only 19 games over the past 5 seasons due to injuries and suspension.

Jimmy Haslam

The owner of the Cleveland Browns who expressed confidence in Watson reclaiming the starting quarterback job.

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, hired to fix the team's broken offense.

Dan Graziano

An ESPN analyst who projects Shedeur Sanders as the most likely starting quarterback for the Browns in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I think the most likely scenario here is he begins the offseason and likely begins the season as the starter. I know the owner, Jimmy Haslam, said something about Deshaun Watson having a great chance. Deshaun Watson has played 19 games in the last five years; they don't have any idea what they're going to get from him.”

— Dan Graziano, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The distribution of first-team reps during the Browns' upcoming OTAs will be a key indicator of whether Sanders or Watson has the inside track to be the team's starting quarterback in 2026.

The takeaway

The Browns need to prioritize developing their young quarterback Shedeur Sanders rather than relying on the injury-prone and suspension-plagued Deshaun Watson. Sanders showed promise as a rookie and represents the team's best chance to fix their broken offense under new head coach Todd Monken.