Mel Kiper Doubles Down on Shedeur Sanders as Browns Draft Taylen Green

Overview

• Kiper’s support for Sanders during ESPN’s Day 3 draft broadcast on Saturday drew on-air laughs from Louis Riddick and host Rece Davis, with the exchange spreading quickly on social media.
• The Browns selected Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Kiper said the move should not change Sanders’ shot to start because Green profiles as a long-term project.
• Sanders struggled as a rookie in 2025 with 7 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, and a 68.1 quarterback rating that ranked near the bottom of the league.
• Green enters with rare testing numbers for a quarterback, including a reported 4.36-second 40-yard dash and a 43.5-inch vertical, and some observers have even floated a future position switch due to his size.
• Cleveland’s quarterback picture remains unsettled for 2026, so the key question now is whether the staff treats Green as a package player while deciding if Sanders can hold the job he failed to lock down last season.