Dawgs By Nature
Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward and the push for QBs going high in the NFL draft
We are just days away from the kickoff of the NFL combine and the real start of the NFL offseason. Despite that, NFL rumors have been flying since before last season even ended. As always, including with the Cleveland Browns, what is true or not about the rumors ends up not mattering when NFL free agency, the NFL draft and trades end up going down.
Yet, in the world of almost everyone enjoying behind-the-scenes information, rumors have become the most read, watched and talked about things in sports. We’ve covered many so far:
Full self disclosure, last month I shared the rumors I have heard from sources around the league and connected to the team. That is important to note as we transition from the rumors to trying to understand how teams in the NFL and the NFL’s media seem to be working together this year.
The reality of professional sports is that it is an entertainment business. While that entertainment is based on competition on the field, if it isn’t entertaining it doesn’t matter. Need proof? Look at all the changes that the NFL has made to make sure points are scored. Defense no longer wins championships because the league has decided, based on their data, that offense wins eyeballs, ratings and clicks.
Naturally, that has led to the increased importance of the quarterback position.
Last year’s NFL draft saw an exciting influx of quarterback talent with Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix leading their teams to the NFL playoffs while Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Michael Penix Jr. have given their teams reasons for excitement. This year’s QB draft class, is far less exciting.
Except that the quarterback position, especially for teams like the Browns who need one, not only wins championships but also wins ratings for media companies. So despite Ward and Sanders not having as high of overall grades as most of last year’s first-round quarterbacks, they are still the talk of every TV show, podcast and written article, including most of ours, when it comes to the NFL draft.
How do NFL teams come into play in this equation?
For teams at the top of the draft, the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, pushing the narrative (through the media) that they are focused on quarterbacks with their picks is strategic. With the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets selecting sixth and seventh, and other teams needing a quarterback...
