Ex-NFL HC Eric Mangini advises Browns to take Shedeur Sanders' camp stats "with a gigantic grain of salt"

The Cleveland Browns selected Shedeur Sanders with the 144th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. With that, the Browns got one of the most talked-about players in collegiate football, and the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.

Shedeur Sanders is in a quarterback battle with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel and veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett for the starting role in Cleveland. The four QBs have taken numerous reps in OTAs and minicamp, and it's become one of the most interesting subplots in the offseason.

Sanders has been thoroughly impressive, but former NFL head coach Eric Mangini has called for cooler heads. Speaking on Thursday's "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Mangini said:

"I wouldn't read too much into it... This hype train in Cleveland is so ridiculous right now… What Kevin Stefanski is trying to do is, he's trying tamper it down. He's trying to push it down and you see, all of his reps have been with the backend guys.

"That's a good decision because as soon as he gets in with the main ones, then the hype train's going to going to roll even further. I'd say the numbers have to be taken with a gigantic grain of salt.

"There's a lot of learning going on for him and to see the numbers that's positive, but he's also working versus the back end of the roster, so his numbers should be a little bit higher."

Eric Mangini was a coach in the NFL for two decades. He started with the Cleveland Browns as an offensive assistant, eventually rising the ranks to become head coach of the New York Jets in 2006.

Mangini had a mixed three-year spell with the Jets before taking his talents to where it all began - the Cleveland Browns. He posted consecutive 5-11 seasons with the Browns before the front office fired him. These days, Mangini works for Fox Sports as an analyst.

What's next for Shedeur Sanders and the Browns?

Shedeur Sanders is doing what he can to earn his shot as a starting quarterback in the NFL. The Colorado Buffaloes product was initially projected to be an early first-round pick, but fell all the way to the fifth round before the Browns took a flier on him.

Sanders thrived in OTAs and remained a standout performer at the start of minicamp. After his time in Colorado and his draft misfortune, many are rooting for Shedeur Sanders as he aims to make the active roster for the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Cleveland Browns had a rough 2024 and posted a 3-14 record. The franchise has been active this offseason and is looking to right that wrong and return to the postseason after a year's absence. Kevin Stefanski will look to sort out the starting quarterback conundrum long before the season opener to give his team the best shot at starting strong.