CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this week’s Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about Shedeur Sanders, the Browns receiving corps, and more. Some of the questions came from our Browns Insider subscribers. To become one, click the blue banner at the top of the cleveland.com/Browns page.
Hey, Mary Kay:
Have the Browns already determined that Shedeur Sanders is their starter heading into next season? — Sean N., Chicago, Ill.
Hey, Sean: I don’t believe they’re there yet, but I think last week’s 23-20 loss to the Bills went a long way towards showing the Browns that Sanders has the potential to be a quality starter in the NFL, and that they might not need to draft a quarterback with one or both of their first-round picks. I think they’ll let the last two games against the Steelers and Bengals play out, and evaluate him over the course of his seven starts.
They must then determine if his upside potential is better than that of whichever quarterback they can draft in 2026. Depending on where they land with their first pick — it’s currently No. 3 — they might have a chance to draft Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Oregon’s Dante Moore or Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
They would have to weigh that against what they believe Sanders can become over the next five to 10 years. By Jan. 24, they’ll know which QBs are coming out, and whether or not they have a shot at one they really like. But Sanders has an excellent opportunity over these next two games to make the Browns forget about those three and only have eyes for him.
Hey, Mary Kay:
Do you think the Browns will overhaul their receiving corps next year? I think Isaiah Bond, Harold Fannin Jr. and possibly Malachi Corley (receiver and returner) are the only locks. — Mike Parker, Chester, MD
Hey, Mike: I think the Browns will add another potential Pro Bowl receiver to the roster, either through the draft, free agency or a trade. I think Bond and Fannin, a tight end, are locks for next season, and Corley has a good chance to be back. The Browns also have starting receivers Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman under contract through next season, with Tillman at the bargain basement price of a $1.785 million cap charge.
I believe both of them will be back as well, and then the room will take shape as training camp unfolds. Some of it will depend on the quarterback and the style of play the Browns will run in 2026.
Hey, Mary Kay:
Will Harold Fannin Jr. be a go or not? And if so, is there a possibility for early injury? — Jim Baum as @Axelrosesweet on X
Hey, Jim: Fannin, who suffered a groin injury during practice on Friday, says he “should be good” to go for Sunday against the Steelers. He seemed pretty confident he’ll play. That would be good for Shedeur Sanders, who loves targeting Fannin early and often. Just in case, the Browns have elevated tight end Sal Canella from the practice squad, and he also has great chemistry with Sanders from their time together as “Hungry Dawgs” backups during and after practice.
With Fannin suffering the injury late in the week — he described it as a tweak — the Browns will probably play it somewhat safe with Fannin if he can play. They also have tight ends Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates on the roster and read to roll with David Njoku (knee) ruled out.
Hey, Mary Kay:
Assuming the Browns DON’T add a quarterback and Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski remain, how likely do you personally think it is Deshaun Watson is the Week 1 starter in September? — Hollywood Cole on X
Hey, Hollywood: In that scenario, I think the Browns would probably continue on with Sanders from the jump and let him build on what he did in the final seven games of this season. He would only continue to learn on the job in the early going and get better throughout the season.
I think Watson starting the season would be more likely if the Browns decide to draft a quarterback and he’s not 100% ready to start the season. The thing to remember with Sanders is that seven games is too small a sample size to be sure he can be their QB of the future, and they might just have to take a leap of faith and roll with it.
Hey, Mary Kay:
If the Browns think Shedeur could be their quarterback going forward, and they would end up at No. 2 or No. 3 in the draft, do you think it would be feasible to trade down two or three spots and get a very good tackle and perhaps another first rounder in ’27? – Jim, North Canton, Ohio
Hey, Jim: I do think if the Browns have the No. 2 or No. 3 pick and don’t take a quarterback, it would probably behoove them to trade down and pick up an extra first rounder for 2027. In that scenario, they’d still get a good player with their initial first round pick, and also have the second first-rounder, which is currently No. 27 because the Jaguars (11-4) have won six straight.
Then, they’d be poised to draft a quarterback in the 2027 class if they needed to, but Sanders might be off to the races by then. If he’s firmly established as their franchise QB, they can use that extra first rounder on another premium position. Their trade down from No. 2 to No. 5 with the Jaguars has already proven fruitful.
Hey, MKC!
Do you think the push to get Myles the sack record is actually in part responsible for the dismal defense against the run in the past few games? It seems as though offenses expected a rush to the QB every time and took advantage in their blocking schemes and running back gap selection. — Dan from Moreland Hills
Hey, Dan: That may have something to do with the dropoff in run defense, but I believe it’s also because teams have been running the ball more in an effort to prevent Garrett from wrecking the game and from setting the sack record on them. I also think that losing Maliek Collins for the season to a quad injury has hurt the run defense considerably. What’s more, the offense hasn’t sustained a lot of drives, and the defense has probably worn down some down the stretch.
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