Browns predicted to abandon Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel for laser-accurate QB
Tell me if you've heard this one before: the Cleveland Browns have a quarterback problem.
Cleveland drafted two quarterbacks in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in 2026, but Gabriel has not been good so far and we still have no clue what Sanders is, although him being a fifth-round pick doesn't give much hope.
Deshaun Watson is still lurking in the shadows as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles, but we already know he stinks and the Browns probably hope he never sees another snap in Cleveland.
If the Browns get through the rest of this season and find out neither Gabriel nor Sanders are the answer, they could spend their early first-round pick on another quarterback.
Ayrton Ostly of USA TODAY believes that's exactly the approach the Browns will take, as he predicted Cleveland will draft Fernando Mendoza with the No. 4 draft selection in 2026.
Cleveland can't believe their luck that Mendoza fell to them at No. 4. The Indiana passer should be an immediate upgrade at the position who brings a high floor from his time with the Hoosiers. He should operate like a point guard for the Browns with his quick release, accuracy and pocket mobility.
It would be surprising if Mendoza, who is in the eyes of many, the clear-cut QB1 in next year's draft class right now, falls to No. 4. But with the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints and New York Giants all picking ahead of Cleveland in Ostly's mock, it's possible considering all three could already have their long-term quarterback solutions on the roster.
That said, the Browns would have to be wary of another team jumping ahead of them, so general manager Andrew Berry will still have to be vigilant in that scenario.
If the Browns can come away with Mendoza, it would be a huge victory.
The Indiana product began ascending in 2024 and he has not dropped off at all in 2025 after transferring to Indiana.
Mendoza has completed a whopping 71.3% of his passes for 2,342 yards and 26 touchdowns to just five picks. His 26 passing scores are tops in the FBS.
Not only does Mendoza possess elite arm talent and accuracy that allows him to make all the throws, he also has plus athleticism that enables him to escape the pressure and make plays with his legs.
The Browns will probably face ridicule for drafting three quarterbacks in two years, but none of that will matter if Mendoza turns out to be the guy Cleveland has been looking for.
Steelers' New CB Asante Samuel Jr. Had Been Injured His Entire Career
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially won the Asante Samuel Jr. sweepstakes, and it became official on Wednesday. He even had his first practice session in an NFL game in over a calendar year. At this point, his goal is to just pick up this defense as fast as possible, so he can see as many snaps as possible in Week 11. He won't need to play every down, but having that ability would be helpful. Kyle Dugger was able to do it right after being acquired via trade, so it's not impossible for the newest Steeler.
In fact, Samuel might be even better than he was during his time with the Los Angeles Chargers. During his first interview in Pittsburgh, he revealed that he got surgery for an issue that he had dealt with since he was drafted in the first place.
"I was playing with [the shoulder issue] for my whole NFL career," Samuel admitted. "It's nothing new. I just had to get it fixed."
Despite playing with in an injury his entire career, Samuel was still a bright spot for a Chargers defense that was constantly hurt and in disarray. He only had one season where he allowed a completion percentage higher than about 62%, and that was his final year in Los Angeles where he only played four games and allowed 12 completions on 18 attempts against him.
Later on, Samuel was asked if this is the best he has felt physically. He gave a very confident answer on that front.
"Oh yeah, for sure," Samuel said. "I feel great. It's the healthiest I have ever been, because I've been dealing with it, and now I got it fixed, so I feel great."
If Samuel was playing with that shoulder issue throughout his entire career, and it's finally gone, there is a real chance that the Steelers see a level of play out of him that not even the Chargers saw. Of course, this is just a one-year deal for Samuel, who is currently on the practice squad. He would need to first be called to the 53-man roster. Not only is he going to play well because of his improved health too, but also the fact that his career is on the line. He needs to show everyone that he can still play cornerback at a very high level, whether it's for the Steelers or for any other potential suitors in free agency. Of course, him staying in Pittsburgh is the hope at this point.
Steelers Could Expect To See Great Defensive Performance Immediately
When the Steelers acquired Dugger prior to Week 9, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was forced to tone down his normally complicated scheme and build the gameplan around being as simple as possible so the new guy could understand. The result of that was the best game that he and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin called all season long, and many players expressed their desires to make that the normal thing.
If the Steelers want to get Samuel into the fold as soon as possible, it's fair to expect that Tomlin and Austin do the same thing for his team debut. They keep the calls simple, everyone plays fast, and it will be easier to stop Ja'Marr Chase and not let him rack up 16 catches again. If that is the case, Pittsburgh can get back on track with a division victory in Week 11 and avoid getting swept.
