Did Jimmy Haslam force the Shedeur Sanders pick?

Of course he did.

And for once, I would say Jimmy Haslam was 100% correct.

So what happened?  Here is my random ass guess

The Browns pick Dillon Gabriel at #94 on Day 2.   Between Day 2 and Day 3, Jimmy Haslam's long list of NFL friends start texting him and calling him.  The tone of those texts and talks would have been something along the lines of "what the fuck?"

On Day 3 when Shedeur is still there into Round 5, and Haslam saw the Pittsburgh Steelers pick coming up, Haslam gets pissed off imagining "what if" the Steelers pick up Shedeur. Mr. Haslam then mandates that Andrew Berry move up and pick Shedeur before Pittsburgh does.  

I am 100% in alignment with Jimmy Haslam on this one, what is interesting is that apparently Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski were not, judging by the frowns in the room. 

The Browns have touted their management alignment for the last few years.  First chink in the armor.  It's now on Stefanski to make it work, or else.

The irony is this:   The Browns had a fantastic draft class in 2025 and it should not be difficult to capitalize on it.  The question in Jimmy Haslam's mind must be this  -   Is Kevin Stefanski too rigid to adapt his scheme to the talent on hand?   If the Browns don't win at least 9 games in 2025 I think we all know what the outcome will be.

Is Dillon Gabriel an Opener?

Paul DePodesta has spent much of his 10+ years in Cleveland boldly trying to disprove conventional NFL wisdom or what I suspect Mr. DePodesta might label as conventional NFL bias.  For the most part however he's never discovered his NFL version of Chad Bradford or Scott Hatteberg.

Well, maybe just maybe with the selection of two QB's in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns have lurched uncontrollably into an opportunity to get a win over conventional NFL wisdom which states that a team must have a franchise QB and that one QB must take the vast majority of the snaps during a game to be successful.

I happen to like Dillon Gabriel and, yes, I happen to really like Shedeur Sanders.   It occurs to me however that both of them at this point in their careers have strengths and weaknesses.   Well, what if, as in baseball, we use analytics to maximize the strengths each bring and mitigate the risk each have in weaknesses.  

Play them both!

How about Gabriel, who is known for precision, not making big mistakes and making reads across the entire field, as your opener.   Script plays and use him at the start of each half.

How about Sanders as your middle reliever.   He's accurate and has great field vision and importantly he can improvise a big play or two because he possesses an understanding of what defensive backfields are doing.   Use him after the first Browns drive in each half.  

You can close the game with either depending on the opponent.   Once you have a lead, hand the ball off.

Gabriel gets about 20 snaps a game.

Sanders gets about 40 snaps a game. 

Force our opponents to prepare for two QB's not one.

Keep both QB's healthy and fresh

Paul DePodesta gets a long overdue victory!

Win - Win - Win! 

Mason Graham = Jerry Sherk

To my viewpoint, Jerry Sherk is the greatest Brown I have ever personally sat in the stands and watched.  Just to be clear, I first sat in the stands in the 1970's otherwise I would surely answer Jim Brown was the greatest Brown.   But I only witnessed Jim Brown winning the war in Europe together with Charles Bronson.

When I first watched Mason Graham play for Michigan against Ohio State, I thought to myself - Jerry Sherk.   In other words:  Cat like quickness and a nose for the ball in spite of constant double and triple teaming by the Buckeyes.

Then I learned another parallel:  Graham was a world class wrestler - Just like Jerry Sherk was.

From his alma mater's website:  Jerry Sherk was a two-sport star at Oklahoma State University. He was an All-Big-8 selection on the gridiron as well as an All-American grappler in 1969. In 1970, he was a second round NFL draft pick (47^th overall) by the Cleveland Browns. Jerry was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection and named MVP by the Browns three straight seasons 1974-1976. In 1976, he was named the NFL's Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year.

well it turns out Mason Graham plays like Jerry Sherk and his wrestling background is no small coincidence.  The Browns have drafted a stud who is going to help turn this team around!