Is Shedeur Sanders Really the Best QB in the 2026 Class? What Analysts Are Saying and What It Means for the Browns

A tweet from BrownsNationcom just sparked a massive debate around the NFL draft: according to CBS Sports analyst Emory Hunt, **no quarterback in the 2026 draft class will be better than Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, including projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

That’s a bold take — especially considering how highly touted Mendoza was throughout college football — and it immediately got Browns fans talking about Sanders’ future in Cleveland and beyond. Let’s unpack what this means, back it up with stats and context, and understand the bigger picture for the 2026 offseason.

🔍 The Analyst Take: Shedeur Above the 2026 QB Class?

According to Emory Hunt, there isn’t a quarterback in the 2026 class who “can hold a candle” to what Shedeur Sanders has already shown — despite Sanders being a fifth-round pick in 2025.

That’s driven largely by Sanders’ production and upside relative to a class that many scouts believe is weaker than usual. While prospects like Mendoza were elite in college — Mendoza threw for over **3,500 yards, 41 TDs, 72 % completion and led the nation in passer rating — Hunt still believes Sanders’ tools, production and NFL experience trump what this incoming class can offer.

Even if you disagree with the sentiment — and many analysts do — the fact that a veteran voice believes Sanders can outshine projected first-round talent is worth exploring.

📊 What Sanders Has Done Already

Sanders’ rookie season wasn’t eye-popping in the traditional sense, but it was eventful and gave a glimpse into his potential:

• 1,400 passing yards in 8 games

• 7 touchdowns / 10 interceptions

• Pro Bowl selection (controversially)

• Development stretch late in the year as he became the starter

Percentage-wise, his numbers weren’t elite — but Sanders showed flashes that suggest a developmental upward trajectory, which might support the argument that he can end up better than some incoming prospects.

It’s also notable that he earned Pro Bowl recognition despite mixed results — a sign that coaches, players or voting fans saw something they liked beyond pure stats.

📉 The Browns’ QB Situation: Still Up in the Air

Here’s the reality: the Browns haven’t officially named a starter for Week 1 of 2026 yet.

Cleveland’s leadership has publicly stated that the QB room — which includes veteran Deshaun Watson and Sanders — will compete for the job. Watson missed all of 2025 with an Achilles injury, leaving the door open for competition.

That makes Hunt’s statement even more intriguing: if Sanders isn’t even the clear starter yet, yet analysts think he’s superior to the next crop of college quarterbacks, what does that mean for Cleveland’s future planning?

🧠 Why Analysts Might Believe This

There are three likely reasons someone like Emory Hunt rates Sanders ahead of the 2026 QB class:

🔹 NFL Experience vs. College Potential

Sanders has actual NFL snaps — even if mixed — while prospects are still projections. NFL coaching and league understanding matter.

🔹 Tools + Traits

Sanders has the athletic and arm profile NFL teams covet, plus the experience of playing at multiple levels.

🔹 QB Class Skepticism

The 2026 QB class — though including standout talent like Mendoza — may lack the overall depth and polish that some front offices desire. That opens the door for a young NFL player to outrank incoming prospects despite being drafted later.

Whether you agree with Hunt or not, it’s not insane, and it’s worth discussing.

😬 So… What Does This Mean for the Browns?

A few key implications:

🟠 Competition Will Be REAL

Cleveland isn’t locking Sanders in. There’s open competition with Watson and possibly external additions, especially with two first-round picks and lots of roster turnover this offseason.

🟠 Draft Strategy Matters

If the Browns believe Sanders has a higher ceiling than the 2026 class, they might prioritize support pieces (WR, O-line) over drafting a new QB high — a strategy some franchises have used when they believe in internal talent.

🟠 Pressure on Development

Sanders’ improvement trajectory will be one of the biggest storylines this offseason. If he can show tangible growth — both in and out of competition — then analysts like Hunt will feel more vindicated.

🏁 Final Take

Opinions on quarterback talent are always going to be subjective — analysts, scouts and teams rarely agree. But the idea that no QB in the 2026 class is better than Shedeur Sanders is bold enough to spark a lot of meaningful debate.

Whether you love it or hate it, one thing is clear:

👉 The Browns’ quarterback situation is far from settled — and how it unfolds could define their 2026 season and beyond.