Shedeur Sanders’ first start for the Cleveland Browns will have to be a cautious one with the Las Vegas Raiders and one of the NFL’s most ruthless defenders. According to a Raiders coach, his tendency may need an upgrade from a predictable young move to display a competitive edge in the NFL against Maxx Crosby. 

“There are all young quarterbacks who think that’s the move. I’ve told y’all before you could do that. But the monsters are back there,” Raiders’ defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said, according to Andrew Siciliano. “All young quarterbacks tend to do that because in college, it’s just different. (In the NFL)You got Maxx Crosby wide. I would stay the hell away.”

During the press meet ahead of the game, coach Graham implied that Shedeur’s drift-step back move was a rookie move.

During his time at Colorado, Sanders relied heavily on the same technique to buy time on the field when under Deion Sanders. The move helped him generate deeper throws, and it kept plays alive when protection broke down.  

Shedeur Sanders stepped in after Dillon Gabriel entered concussion protocol, giving the Browns a rookie quarterback under center against the Ravens. In college, drifting away from pressure often bailed Sanders out, but the NFL punished that habit instantly. Against Baltimore, he struggled to settle in the pocket, hesitating on reads and fading backward into pressure rather than stepping into throws.

Early in their careers, quarterbacks like Justin Fields and Zach Wilson also struggled with pocket awareness, forced to adapt quickly against elite pass rushers or risk costly mistakes; an experience Sanders now faces in Cleveland.

Sanders finished 4-of-16 for 47 yards with one interception and two sacks, a stat line reflecting limited chemistry with his receivers and a lack of first-team reps. Gabriel remains sidelined due to concussion protocol, and Sanders is set to start again Sunday in Las Vegas, as Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Reese work to sharpen his timing, rhythm, and pocket structure.

In the NFL, the offense flows best when the quarterback aggressively attacks the pocket. Recently, Maxx Crosby hinted at what he could expect during a recent press exchange, calling out the challenge of going up against a young, less-proven passer.

Rookie Sanders to face veteran Crosby in his Raiders start

Earlier this week, Deion Sanders spoke about the way Shedeur came into the Ravens game, noting he expected “some inconsistencies”. However, with a first-ever start nearing, the expectation may just be higher for this week.  Meanwhile, Maxx Crosby himself commented on what he expects out of the encounter recently.

“Young guys are a little unpredictable at times. He has had a lot of success at the college level, and he is getting his first start,” Maxx Crosby told Nick Walters. “So, it is going to be a fun battle.”

Crosby thrives in his role and has recorded 42 total tackles, 6 sacks, 13.5 stuffs, and 21 stuff yards this season. His 2025 season continues an impressive trend. His speed and power off the edge remain a constant threat.

PFF grades and analysis from prior seasons also highlight his elite disruption. Between 2021 and 2023, he consistently ranked among the top edge defenders by pass-rush win rate and pressure rate.

Shedeur Sanders will take the field in Week 12 against a team that is also 2–8. The underwhelming record could take some of the pressure off Sanders as he makes his first real start. With just one week to refine his timing and build chemistry, this is a low‑leverage chance for him to grow into the role without the burden of high playoff expectations.