Could the Browns pass on Shedeur Sanders for 2025 NFL Draft prospect with ties to new assistant coach?
It didn't take long for the Cleveland Browns to start seeing a logical connection in the 2025 NFL Draft after promoting Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator. Rees served as the Alabama Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator in 2023, overseeing a season with massive growth for quarterback Jalen Milroe. Milroe became a possible first-round pick under Rees' […]
It didn't take long for the Cleveland Browns to start seeing a logical connection in the 2025 NFL Draft after promoting Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator. Rees served as the Alabama Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator in 2023, overseeing a season with massive growth for quarterback Jalen Milroe.
Milroe became a possible first-round pick under Rees' purview, and the Browns have the ability to reunite the two this spring. CBS Sports NFL Draft Analyst Chris Trepasso has made the connection recently as well, mocking Milroe No. 2 to the Browns. Here's his analysis.
I know this feels way too early for Jalen Milroe, but we've had bigger surprises with quarterbacks going higher than expected in the past, and Milroe is destined to erupt at the NFL Scouting Combine. This is all about the long-term upside with the former Alabama passer, and a cheaper bridge quarterback can be signed in the interim. Nevermind Deshaun Waton's standing on the roster; he's unlikely to be physically capable of playing in 2025 anyway.
Ward was taken No. 1 overall, meaning the Browns passed on Shedeur Sanders to take Milroe. While public opinion on Milroe is split, I agree with Trepasso that he'll be a top-10 selection. His passing inconsistencies are maddening, but Jayden Daniels, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen once had similar troubles before better coaching and more experience helped iron out their games.
Much of the discussion must be based on whether the Browns think they can get the most out of Milroe. A strong work ethic goes a long way, especially when the physical talent is undoubtedly capable of reaching Pro Bowl status.
Rees has said flattering things about Milroe, lauding his character, competitiveness, and willingness to improve.
“You know, I think it shows a great amount of character, a great amount of competitiveness from those two guys, but it also shows a love for their teammates and a love for being here,” Tommy Rees said. “And honestly, it speaks volumes about the program that guys want to stay here, and so I think it’s really special that in this age of college football, especially at the quarterback position when guys are so eager to leave, that two guys looked at an opportunity to stay here, to care about their teammates, to continue to improve.”
Milroe has shown great respect for Rees and credited his coaching style in return.
“I think I’m very receptive of his coaching because he played the position, played at a high level at Notre Dame,” Milroe continued. “Now that he’s coaching? He’s able to coach the position and I’m able to absorb it as much as possible. It has been great. It has been great having Coach Rees here.”
Of course, the 2024 season did not go as planned after Kalen DeBoer took over the Crimson Tide and Rees departed for Cleveland's tight end coaching role. Milroe's stock might be low now, and it's possible the Browns could trade down to land him, or take Abdul Carter at No. 2 and move back up for Milroe.
But the easiest path is just to take the player you have a conviction on at No. 2. Evaluators are at least seeing Rees' presence as a conversation starter for Milroe to be considered.
