Mike Florio· Nov 4, 2026
With Deshaun Watson in the concussion protocol, Florio expects rookie Shedeur Sanders to take over as Cleveland's starting quarterback for the Week 9 trip to New Orleans, unless the staff turns to Dillon Gabriel instead.
“Until then, Sanders will presumably be the starter — unless the coaching staff decides to pivot to Dillon Gabriel.”
published in writing · NBC Sports · read the original →
One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.
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Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
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Shedeur Sanders · 2026 season61 calls from 41 pundits between 1 and 3. Mike Florio said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
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Shedeur Sanders to be 1st on the depth chart
“Until then, Sanders will presumably be the starter — unless the coaching staff decides to pivot to Dillon Gabriel.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Doug JoubertScore Predictions · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 26Joubert picks the Browns to win 28-17, saying the Saints haven't improved over the first half of the season despite Cleveland starting Shedeur Sanders.
- Pat McAfeeGame Outcome Picks · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 0McAfee picked the Browns, with Shedeur Sanders starting, to beat the Saints in New Orleans.
- Michael MooreDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. He also expects Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.
- Zachary PerelesDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints.
- Mitchell EisensteinGame Outcome Picks · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 0Mitchell gave his Week 9 top-five power rankings, keeping Buffalo first and the 49ers second while elevating the Bears, Jaguars and Lions, and picked a slate of Week 9 games including a Packers win in New England, a Panthers upset of Denver, and blowouts for Detroit, Kansas City and Houston. He also tabbed Jonah Coleman as a late-season Offensive Rookie of the Year pick.
- Richard ShermanGame Outcome Picks · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 0Sherman ranked the 49ers first in his Week 9 top five ahead of Buffalo, Chicago, Jacksonville and Denver, picked every Week 9 game with scores, and gave midseason award picks headlined by Brock Purdy for MVP and Kyle Shanahan for Coach of the Year.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jeremy BrenerDepth Chart Calls · Jalen MilroeMiss · 0Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for his first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury.
- Nic BodifordDepth Chart Calls · Joe FagnanoHit · 100Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. He also views Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Carson BeckMiss · 0Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace him as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut.
- Jacob HerlinDepth Chart Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Herlin published Week 7 fantasy D/ST rankings with projections for 28 team defenses, led by Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland. He also expects Cleveland to post a fourth straight top-10 fantasy defense result, and predicts Jalon Daniels starts another week for Tampa Bay while J.J. McCarthy takes over as the Giants' starter.
- Donnie DruinDepth Chart Calls · Jacoby BrissettHit · 100Following the Cardinals' decision not to make staff or lineup changes, Druin states that Jacoby Brissett will remain Arizona's starting quarterback for another week, with rookie Carson Beck staying behind him.
- Jordan DajaniDepth Chart Calls · Drew KendallMiss · 0Dajani expects Cam Jurgens to move back to center as the Ravens' starter after the trade, and projects a rebuilt Eagles offensive line for Week 5 with Jordan Mailata, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall, Tyler Steen and Markel Bell starting from left tackle to right tackle.