Pre-Season Outlook

Sanders' draft-day slide was one of the biggest stories of the offseason, with many speculating on the reasons behind it. Whatever the exact nature of those concerns might be, a drop to the fifth round suggests NFL teams project him more as a backup than a star. Last season, Sanders led the FBS with a 74.0 completion rate, finishing his two-year run at Colorado with 64 touchdowns against only 13 interceptions. Though accurate, his arm strength is just average, and he's surprisingly slow from someone whose father, Deion Sanders, was one of the fastest NFL players in the 1990s. Cleveland's quarterback situation, however, could open the door for Sanders to start. Dillon Gabriel, the team's third-round pick, is undersized without a standout physical trait, while Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are the available veterans until Deshaun Watson returns late in the season (if at all). Sanders thus has a chance to earn playing time in his rookie year, but limitations in arm power and mobility may cap his fantasy upside even if he proves competent in real life.