Dawgs By Nature
Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Quinshon Judkins among the 42 rookies present
The Cleveland Browns have a seven-person NFL draft class where the big decision was who they didn’t draft (along with having an extra first-round pick next year) and the biggest name/story is their final selection, QB Shedeur Sanders. The Browns rookie class finished up rookie minicamp and were joined by veterans for a few days of offseason activities.
All seven have a long way to go with the hopes that DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger and RB Quinshon Judkins will have the biggest impact. QB Dillon Gabriel should get more looks than Sanders early, with both rookie quarterbacks having a chance to create a little chaos in an interesting quarterback room.
For the 31st year, the NFLPA brought together rookies for a “Rookie Premiere,” which is really a showcase to help the players look for endorsements and future business endeavors. This year, 42 players headed out to Los Angeles, including top pick Cam Ward all the way down to seventh-rounder Quinn Ewers.
Three Cleveland players, Judkins, Gabriel and Sanders, put on their Browns uniforms for the first time in public with just three defenders, Abdul Carter, Mykel Williams and Travis Hunter (listed at both CB and WR) among the group:
A poorly done (by me) cutup of the three Cleveland players can be seen here:
Of note, Sanders seemingly chose the more loosely fitting sleeves, a sort of throwback look, while Gabriel and Judkins have the more modern tight sleeves on their jerseys.
The NFLPA’s website makes it clear the point of the Premiere:
...the event introduces these rising stars to the commercial side of professional football, setting the stage for future endorsement success and financial empowerment.
This year’s Rookie Premiere will include autograph signings and trading card photoshoots with Panini America, official Fanatics jersey unveilings, as well as live-action and studio content sessions. For media, the event offers dynamic photo and interview opportunities, capturing rookies as they step into their next chapter on and off the field. Rookies will also participate in orientation sessions led by union leadership, gaining insights into group licensing, personal branding, and passive income opportunities, building on their NIL experiences from college.
Still nice for fans to get to see some of their rookies in their uniforms, even if most defenders, including the Browns top pick in Graham, were not at the event.
A throwback to a decade ago, the 2015 NFL draft rookie Premiere class, shows RB Duke Johnson smiling (and the only player with their eye black on for the picture) and WR Vince Mayle looking very unhappy:
What are your initial thoughts on seeing these three in their Browns uniforms for the first time?
