NFL Insider Says 'No Reasonable Person Thinks' Shedeur Will Be Fully Ready for Week 1

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders isn't viewed as an immediate Week 1 contributor despite a strong preseason debut, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic.

"No reasonable person thinks Sanders will be fully ready to lead a team and consistently attack a complicated NFL defense three weeks from now," Jackson reported Sunday. "He’s shown enough talent and growth, however, to make anyone believe he should be on the team and has a chance to develop into a starting-quality player. Sanders is talented. His throw out of his own end zone to wide receiver Gage Larvadain in the preseason opener and his floater down the sideline to receiver Luke Floriea later are proof."

Sanders started under center during the Browns' 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Friday. He finished 14-of-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns without tossing an interception, playing into the third quarter.

It's worth noting that Sanders received Friday's start as quarterback Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie signal-caller Dillon Gabriel dealt with hamstring injuries.

Veteran Joe Flacco, who's reportedly the top candidate to start in Week 1, was held out of the matchup with Carolina as well.

Sanders was also listed at No. 4 in Cleveland's first unofficial depth chart.

Given the 23-year-old's status within the Browns' quarterback hierarchy, it's understandable that he'll need more that a single impressive preseason performance to earn a spot on the team's first-string offense.

Still, Sanders may begin to establish himself as Cleveland's long-term option under center if he can continue to step up during its two remaining preseason contests.