

Shedeur Sanders was consistently discussed as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, with teams such as the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers being all rumored landing spots.
Some projections had Sanders going as early as the top three selections, while others predicted he might slip toward the bottom of the first round. If he fell, many still believed he would not have to wait long on Day 2. But as the draft unfolded, reality proved harsher than expected.
Shedeur Sanders has released his first TikTok dance since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns
Not only did Sanders not hear his name on Day 1, but Day 2 passed without any team selecting him either. By the time Day 3 began, starting with the fourth round, it was becoming stunningly clear just how far his stock had fallen.
Finally, after a long wait and growing speculation, the Cleveland Browns made a move. Trading up with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Browns selected Sanders with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round.
Sanders lands in a crowded but promising quarterback room
The landing spot for Sanders is an interesting one, especially considering the Browns had already taken Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel late in the third round. The selection of Gabriel indicated Cleveland’s preference at that point, but once Sanders was still available in the fifth round, the value was simply too good to pass up.
On many draft boards, Gabriel was ranked outside the top 200 prospects, while Sanders was slotted at No. 24 overall – carrying a first-round grade. As the analysis noted, “Gabriel’s impressive combination of experience and production” may have helped his stock, but in terms of pure talent and NFL upside, Sanders is the more dynamic prospect.
The quarterback room Sanders joins is a complex one. Veteran Joe Flacco, former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, and embattled starter Deshaun Watson are already there. Watson remains on the roster mainly because of his massive contract, but his long-term future remains uncertain.
Sanders immediately becomes the most talented young quarterback in the building, even if he lacks the jaw-dropping athleticism of top pick Cam Ward or the wild upside of Jalen Milroe.
He already proved skeptics wrong when he seamlessly transitioned from Jackson State to Colorado, posting impressive numbers while facing intense media scrutiny and playing behind a struggling offensive line. His ability to maintain poise and deliver accurate throws under pressure will serve him well in the NFL.
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