The 2025 NFL Draft delivered one of its biggest surprises when Sanders, widely projected as a first- or second-round pick, slipped all the way to the fifth round. Five quarterbacks came off the board before him: Tennessee selected Cam Ward first overall, followed by Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe and Gabriel. While the slide was unexpected, it also sets up a classic prove-it narrative. Quarterbacks who enter the league with something to prove often leverage that motivation into rapid development, especially when they land with a staff willing to tailor a system to their strengths.
In Cleveland, Myles Garrett is set to begin his ninth season at age 29 and remains the franchise’s cornerstone on defense. Across 117 regular-season games, he has amassed 102.5 sacks, with back-to-back 16-sack campaigns followed by 14 sacks in each of the last two seasons. Amid a difficult 3-14 year for the Browns, Garrett stood out, and his offseason brought clarity: after a trade request when contract talks stalled, he signed a four-year, $160 million extension that includes $123.5 million guaranteed, averages $40 million per year and carries a no-trade clause. That structure signals mutual commitment and stability, a critical message for a locker room seeking to rebound.
As for his immediate availability, head coach Kevin Stefanski has not set a timeline, and it’s possible Garrett won’t appear in the preseason. Cleveland visits the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on August 16, then faces the Los Angeles Rams the following week. The Browns open the regular season at home on September 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Logical context and added value:
– Sanders’ draft slide could prove beneficial if he lands in a quarterback room where expectations are manageable and development reps are steady. A measured ramp-up has helped many late-selected quarterbacks find their footing.
– Garrett’s extension, particularly with a no-trade clause, gives Cleveland a long-term anchor on defense. That kind of certainty helps align roster building, defensive scheme continuity and leadership in the room.
– Sitting Garrett in the preseason would be a routine risk-management choice for a veteran star. Preserving peak health for Week 1 and beyond often outweighs limited preseason reps.
Hopeful outlook:
– Sanders has an opportunity to turn draft-day disappointment into long-term success by channeling it into preparation and growth.
– Cleveland’s defense remains built around a premier pass rusher in his prime, and the new contract underscores a win-now intent. If the offense stabilizes and the defense leans on Garrett’s consistency, the Browns have a plausible path to a quick turnaround.
Summary:
– Sanders fell to the fifth round after five quarterbacks—Ward, Dart, Shough, Milroe and Gabriel—were selected ahead of him, creating a motivation-fueled start to his NFL career.
– Myles Garrett enters Year 9 with 102.5 career sacks and a new four-year, $160 million deal with $123.5 million guaranteed and a no-trade clause.
– Stefanski has not set a preseason timeline for Garrett; Cleveland’s preseason includes the Eagles on August 16 and the Rams the following week, with the regular-season opener September 7 vs. the Bengals.