Shedeur Sanders has finally got the opportunity to prove himself as a leader on the field.

The rookie quarterback has already played six games for the Cleveland Browns. His current performances are making headlines among teammates as well as fans.

Sanders’ Week 17 start against the Steelers was indicative of his development. Sanders completed 17 out of 23 passes, a career-high 73.9 percent, and threw the only touchdown. Though he threw two interceptions, he didn’t suffer a significant loss at any stage.

Rookie defensive back Dylan Sampson praised Sanders’ leadership on the field. “He’s shown continued improvement week in and week out. I think he has a natural leadership quality about him, and he’s continuing to connect with the guys. He puts it all out there on the field. He extends plays, he makes plays.

It’s exciting to see the rookie class contributing. Obviously, we’re not the ones who make decisions, but I’m going to be pulling for him just like I’m pulling for everybody else I was drafted with,” Sampson added.

Sampson Highlights Rookie Impact and Draft Implications

His last three games feature seven turnovers, which point out areas where he needs improvement. Still, just two sacks were accumulated, amounting to two yards lost, indicating that he can protect himself under pressure and continue a flow of offense.

The Browns' draft status has been affected by the wins that came through Sanders. A successful close to the season may drop the Browns lower in the draft, lowering the chances of selecting high quarterback prospects Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore.

The 2025 rookie class in Cleveland is making its presence known on the team. In addition to Sanders, other rookies who have been making contributions to the team include Dylan Sampson, Quinshon Judkins, and Harold Fannin Jr. Having an elite wide receiver or offensive lineman would certainly help Sanders and the rest of the current lineup.

Written by

Mohd Mudabbir Ansari

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu