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By Ernesto Cova
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Shedeur Sanders' rookie season was a bit of a mixed bag. Not even the most-connected insiders had him sliding to the No. 144 pick, and he had to wait until trades and an injury cleared the way for him to get on the field.
Sanders started the final seven games of the season for the Cleveland Browns. Again, the tape and the numbers were an assortment, but he showed enough promise to be in the mix to start next season.
That's why ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. wanted to set the record straight on him. Talking to Tony Rizzo on ESPN Cleveland Radio, he doubled down on his praise of Sanders by stating he had done more than enough to silence the doubters.
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Mel Kiper Jr. Backs Shedeur Sanders as the Browns' QB1
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"The way he competed, the arm strenght in those weather conditions," Kiper started. "And in terms of mobility and athlecism, he showed that; you said he couldn't do that. He held up physically, taking hits."
Kiper, one of Sanders' fiercest defenders, argued that the Browns' rookie held his own against the No. 1 pick in the Tennessee Titans' 31-29 win over the Browns:
"When he was on the field with Cam Ward, did you see much difference there? The No. 1 pick and a fifth round pick, did you see much difference? I didn't," Kiper added. "Is he the quarterback of the future? I think he is, the doubters and the haters will be out there saying he's not."
Of course, it's hard to argue that Sanders was much better than the average fifth-round selection. It's also fair to expect some growing pains from a first-year quarterback.
The Browns have a new head coach in Todd Monken. He has said all the right things about Sanders, but he also admitted that his team would have an open competition for the starting spot.
Sanders showed just enough to buy himself some time. Now, with an improved supporting cast and some first-team reps in training camp, he'll have to take the bull by the horns and run away with the job.
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