Shedeur Sanders' first NFL start: What should we expect from Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback?

Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. Today's installment covers:

• The top five candidates for a hotly contested award.

But first, a scouting report on one rookie in a glaring spotlight this weekend ...

This Sunday will feature the highly anticipated starting debut of the most polarizing draft prospect in memory, with Shedeur Sanders guiding the Cleveland Browns against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Although a matchup between a pair of 2-8 squads typically doesn't register as more than a blip on the NFL radar, this game is different due to the outsized attention Sanders receives -- it'll be must-see TV for supporters and detractors alike.

As a former NFL scout with 20-plus years of experience as a talent evaluator, I have never seen a player garner so much interest from experts and casual fans. The Sanders saga has captivated the football world for years. After initially lighting up the Southwestern Athletic Conference for two seasons at Jackson State, the quarterback helped turn Colorado into a ratings machine for a couple years, and then he fueled impassioned debate during this past spring's pre-draft process. I viewed Sanders as QB1 of the draft class, given his spectacular play while transforming two downtrodden programs into winners, and figured he was ticketed for Round 1.

While my evaluation certainly did not align with where Sanders ultimately came off the board -- Round 5, No. 144 overall -- the 6-foot-2, 212-pounder earned high marks from me as a classic dropback passer with outstanding touch, anticipation and timing. As a rhythm thrower with superb accuracy and ball placement at the college level, Sanders had the kind of game to fit a traditional pro-style offense featuring old-school dropback and play-action concepts that work the middle of the field. Although he lacked the arm strength to beat defenders with pure gas, Sanders routinely squeezed balls in between second-level defenders on layered throws with surgical precision. He torched collegiate opponents with anticipatory tosses into tight windows, particularly when delivering from a clean pocket that enabled him to step into his throws unobstructed.

However, Sanders' game changed dramatically when the pass rush collapsed the pocket. He showed poor discipline, drifting and retreating from rushers before taking unnecessary sacks or making poor decisions that led to head-scratching turnovers. For a high-IQ player who demonstrated outstanding situational awareness and game-management skills in other areas, Sanders' panicked response to pressure raised questions about his ability to thrive as a limited athlete.

Fast-forward to the 2025 NFL preseason, and Sanders teased and tormented his supporters with uneven play. During his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, he completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Sanders dropped a few dimes that confirmed his talent as a pinpoint passer with excellent anticipation. Though he did hold on to the ball too long at times, resulting in bad sacks and poor throws, it was a dazzling performance overall.

Two weeks later, Sanders bombed against the Los Angeles Rams in the preseason finale. Playing with the third-string offense, he completed three of his six passes for 14 yards, while taking five sacks and fumbling the football. The rookie wilted under the pressure, displaying all of the negative traits that led some evaluators to label him as a developmental prospect (Day 3, Rounds 4-7) who needed some skill refinement and overall development before he could compete as a starter.

Now we get a chance to monitor Sanders' progress as a player. How will he look on Sunday in Vegas? With a week's worth of first-team reps at practice and a game plan designed to take advantage of his strengths, the 23-year-old is getting the full QB1 experience. The practice reps should give him the confidence needed to execute the game plan, while also allowing him to build chemistry with his perimeter playmakers and offensive line. From his cadence to his ball handling and ball placement, the week-long acclimation period should help Sanders' performance improve significantly from his NFL debut last week against the Baltimore Ravens. After relieving Dillon Gabriel (concussion) at halftime, Sanders was only able to complete four of his 16 pass attempts for 47 yards (2.9 per attempt), taking two sacks and throwing a pick.

After facing a barrage of Ravens pressures with post-snap coverage changes last Sunday, Sanders gets a Raiders defense that typically utilizes more static coverages and few pre-snap disguises. Pete Carroll favors simplicity over complexity for his defenders, which likely will result in more blackboard defenses for Sanders. If the Raiders stay true to form, the rookie should be able to quickly work through his reads to find open receivers against a "vision and break" coverage scheme.

The Browns will attempt to alleviate the burden on Sanders' shoulders by leaning into a ground game anchored by fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins. The rugged runner commands attention, posting five games with at least 75 rushing yards, including a 23-carry, 110-yard outing against the Minnesota Vikings. If Judkins has success early, Cleveland can unveil a complementary play-action passing game with Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. (another rookie) featured as the primary targets. In addition, the Browns could mix in some quick-rhythm throws on early downs to take advantage of any soft coverage on the perimeter. By effectively providing the first-time starter with some lay-up throws, Cleveland can allow Sanders to gain confidence while forcing Las Vegas to defend the entire field, creating more room for Judkins on the ground.

Given Sanders' inexperience and struggles against Baltimore's pressure a week ago, Cleveland must have a plan to handle exotic blitzes and Cover 0 pressures (all-out blitzes). With the young signal-caller's athletic limitations, the Browns could add some hot routes/sight adjustments to route concepts or feature the screen game to counter the Raiders' blitz tactics. If Sanders can punish Las Vegas for utilizing some high-risk strategies, Carroll will quickly call off the dogs and challenge the rookie to win by stringing together completions.

With a whole week to prepare for a defense that has struggled for most of this season, Sanders has an opportunity to prove his doubters wrong and jump-start a Browns offense that needs improved quarterback play. At the same time, the critics will be quick to bury him if he struggles. It's a big spot for the league's most high-profile fifth-round pick. I can't wait to take it in.

Who'll win Comeback Player of the Year?

As we head into the stretch run of the regular season, this is the time when individual awards are sewn up. Who will win a tight race for Comeback Player of the Year? Here is my ranking of the top five candidates in a star-studded field.