Browns Eye Texas Tech QB in Supplemental Draft: Shedeur

The Cleveland Browns’ ongoing search for reliable quarterback depth just got a major update, with multiple league sources confirming the team is scouting a Texas Tech quarterback for the 2024 NFL Supplemental Draft. This unexpected move adds fresh competition for 2025 draft favorite Shedeur Sanders, who was already facing a crowded class of signal-callers vying for top billing.

What Is the NFL Supplemental Draft?

For fans new to the process, the NFL Supplemental Draft is a secondary selection event held annually for players who missed the regular April draft due to eligibility issues, academic disputes, or other unforeseen circumstances. It typically takes place in July, weeks before the start of training camp.

Unlike the regular draft, teams do not pick in a set order. Instead, organizations submit blind bids for players, offering a pick in the following year’s regular draft equal to the round they want to select the player. The team with the highest bid wins the rights to the player, and forfeits that pick in the next year’s draft.

Who Is the Browns’ Texas Tech QB Target?

While the Browns have not publicly named the specific Texas Tech quarterback they are evaluating, reports indicate the team has requested full film sessions and informal interviews with the signal-caller, who entered the supplemental draft pool after resolving a lingering eligibility dispute with the NCAA.

The quarterback in question started 8 games for Texas Tech in 2023, throwing for 2,100 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions before a shoulder injury cut his season short. Scouts praise his arm strength, pocket mobility, and quick decision-making, traits that align with the Browns’ offensive scheme under Kevin Stefanski.

How This Impacts Shedeur Sanders’ 2025 Draft Stock

Shedeur Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, emerged as a top 2025 draft prospect after a breakout 2023 season at Colorado, where he threw for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns in his first year with the program. Many projected him as a top-10 pick, with some teams even considering him for the first overall selection.

The addition of a developmental Texas Tech QB to the supplemental draft mix gives teams like the Browns another option if they want to wait on selecting a quarterback, rather than reaching for Sanders in the early rounds. It also means Sanders will have to maintain his high level of play in 2024 to hold onto his top spot in the QB class.

Shedeur Sanders’ 2024 Outlook

Sanders will return to Colorado for the 2024 season, where he will have a new supporting cast after the program lost several key receivers to the transfer portal. He is expected to be one of the most watched players in college football this fall, with scouts eager to see if he can replicate his 2023 success against tougher Big 12 competition.

Why Are the Browns Targeting a Supplemental Draft QB?

The Browns currently have Deshaun Watson as their starter, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker as backups. However, Watson missed most of the 2023 season due to a suspension and lingering shoulder issues, highlighting the team’s need for additional depth at the position.

Selecting a quarterback in the supplemental draft allows the Browns to add a developmental prospect without using a pick in the 2024 regular draft, where they currently hold only six selections after multiple trades. It also gives them a low-risk option to evaluate before committing to a long-term backup or developmental player in 2025.

Key 2024 NFL Supplemental Draft Rules to Remember

• Only players who were not eligible for the 2024 regular draft can enter the supplemental draft.
• Teams submit blind bids, with the highest bid (in terms of 2025 draft pick value) winning the player.
• The 2024 supplemental draft is scheduled for July 11, 2024.
• Players selected in the supplemental draft are eligible to participate in training camp immediately.

What’s Next for the Browns and Shedeur Sanders?

The Browns will continue evaluating the Texas Tech QB through pre-draft workouts, with a decision on whether to submit a bid expected by early July. For Sanders, the focus remains on leading Colorado to a strong 2024 season, while keeping an eye on the growing competition in the 2025 QB class.

Final Takeaway

This move by the Browns adds a new layer of intrigue to both the 2024 supplemental draft and the 2025 regular draft. For Shedeur Sanders, it’s a reminder that no prospect’s spot is secure, and for Browns fans, it’s a sign the team is being proactive about addressing quarterback depth ahead of a critical 2024 season.