The Cleveland Browns have not yet turned to Shedeur Sanders under center, but given how much Dillon Gabriel has struggled over his first four starts, it appears to be a matter of time.
The general consensus is that the Browns will give Sanders a chance at some point this season. At the very least, Cleveland needs to see what he has before heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, and the prevailing thought is that he unquestionably has more arm talent than Gabriel.
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The problem is that the Browns don’t exactly have a whole lot of weapons to provide for Sanders, particularly at wide receiver. Jerry Jeudy has struggled, and the depth behind Jeudy has been pitiful.
But Cleveland scored some big news on the wide receiver front this week, as a star pass-catcher may have become available just days before the NFL trade deadline: Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle.
The Dolphins were apparently not keen on selling before Nov. 4, but then, on Friday, they parted ways with general manager Chris Grier, which could open the door for Miami to blow it up.
The chances of Waddle being moved now appear to be significantly higher, and if that’s the case, then the Browns — who own multiple first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft — should absolutely pursue the 26-year-old.
Landing a weapon like Waddle would make the likely eventual transition to Sanders considerably easier, and Cleveland would then suddenly have an impressive young nucleus of playmakers that includes Waddle, Jeudy, Harold Fannin Jr. and Quinshon Judkins. It’s not elite, but it’s a start.
Waddle entered the league in 2021 and rattled off three straight 1,000-yard campaigns to begin his NFL career, topping out at 1,356 yards (while averaging a league-high 18.1 yards per catch) in 2022.
The University of Alabama product took a step back in 2024, catching 58 passes for 744 yards and a couple of scores, but he has rebounded nicely this season. Through eight games, Waddle has logged 41 catches for 586 yards while reaching the end zone four times.
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The Browns can still rebuild while adding Waddle. He’s young, and he’s under contract through 2028. Plus, he might not even cost Cleveland a first-rounder. And even if he does, again, the Browns have two of them next April: their own, and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pick.
If the Browns are able to swing a deal for Waddle, they would actually be setting Sanders up pretty nicely in terms of supporting talent. We’ll see if they make an aggressive push for him.
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