Shedeur Sanders may have experienced one of the most dramatic slides in recent NFL Draft history, but the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback is already finding his footing with the Cleveland Browns. Selected in the fifth round at No. 144 overall on April 26, 2025, Sanders’ fall was a shock to many, given the early buzz linking him to the Browns as a potential first-round pick. However, as noted in a segment on The Herd titled “Is it surprising Shedeur Sanders fell all the way to the 5th round,” his draft journey was marred by concerns over his attitude and off-field demeanor, which ultimately overshadowed his on-field talent. Despite the rocky start, Sanders is already earning support in the Browns’ locker room, with cornerback Greg Newsome publicly backing the rookie quarterback.
When the draft process began, Sanders to the Browns was a popular projection, fueled by Cleveland’s need for a long-term quarterback solution amid Deshaun Watson’s injury woes—a torn Achilles in October 2024, followed by a re-tear during recovery in January 2025, sidelining him for most of the 2025 season. Sanders, who threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions with a 74% completion rate in 2024 at Colorado, seemed like a natural fit. His arm talent, pocket presence, and ability to handle pressure—he took 48 sacks behind a porous offensive line yet led the FBS in completion percentage—made him a projected first- or second-round pick. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked him as a top-20 prospect in January 2025, praising his “cool confidence under pressure.” But as the draft approached, Sanders’ stock plummeted. At the NFL Combine, where he measured 6-foot-1 1/2 and 212 pounds, he opted not to throw, a decision that drew scrutiny. His interviews were reportedly lackluster, with The Athletic reporting a contentious meeting with Giants coach Brian Daboll, and his overall attitude—perceived as brash and entitled, amplified by his father Deion Sanders’ public comments about “pulling an Eli” if Shedeur landed with the wrong team—turned off several franchises.
The slide on draft night was a spectacle. A viral video captured Deion Sanders’ stunned reaction when the New Orleans Saints, picking at No. 5, selected Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham instead of Shedeur, with Deion muttering, “They’re gonna regret that,” as reported by The New York Post. By the time the Browns traded up to take him at No. 144—sending picks 166 and 192 to the Seahawks—Sanders had fallen further than even the most pessimistic projections, with ESPN’s Matt Miller having ranked him No. 25 overall. The Browns’ decision to draft Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel at No. 94 in the third round, despite having Sanders ranked lower on their board (sixth among quarterbacks, per ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi), added to the narrative of Sanders’ polarizing draft journey. Annie Agar, a sports media personality, faced backlash after posting a controversial photo mocking Sanders’ slide, captioned, “Shedeur Sanders waiting for his name to be called,” showing a skeleton at a draft table—a post that drew criticism for its insensitivity, with
@NFLFanReact writing, “Not cool, Annie. Kid’s dream got crushed, and you’re making it a joke.”
Despite the tumultuous pre-draft process, Sanders is already winning over his new teammates in Cleveland. Browns cornerback Greg Newsome, a 2021 first-round pick, took to social media to express his support, saying, “I like Shedeur…I like a Quarterback that just got that IT factor. If you coming in there with that confidence and swagger… That’s my type of guy.” Newsome’s comments, as highlighted in a Pro Football Network article, suggest that Sanders’ charisma and self-assuredness—traits that hurt him in the draft—might be resonating in the locker room. Newsome, who had 49 tackles and 2 interceptions in 2024, is a respected voice on a Browns team that’s been searching for stability at quarterback since returning to the NFL in 1999, cycling through 40 different starters in that span.
Sanders’ popularity off the field is also undeniable. Despite his fifth-round status, he ranks third in rookie jersey sales, trailing only Jacksonville’s Travis Hunter and Tennessee’s Cam Ward, according to The Athletic. This star power, which outshines many players drafted ahead of him, underscores Sanders’ marketability, a trait he honed at Colorado with high-profile NIL deals reportedly worth $4.8 million, per On3. His jersey sales reflect a fanbase eager to see if he can translate his college success—14,513 career passing yards, 123 touchdowns, and a 70.1% completion rate over four seasons at Jackson State and Colorado—to the NFL.
On the field, Sanders faces a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland, with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel also vying for snaps. Watson’s absence creates an opportunity, but The Athletic’s Zac Jackson noted that Sanders is “guaranteed nothing,” likely starting as the fourth-string quarterback. Still, his college tape suggests a high ceiling—he threw for 400+ yards in 5 games in 2024, including a 445-yard, 4-touchdown performance against Arizona—and his ability to handle adversity could help him win over coaches. The Browns, who finished 8-9 in 2024 and missed the playoffs, are desperate for a spark, and Sanders’ confidence, as Newsome noted, might be the intangible they need. As Cleveland heads into OTAs in May 2025, all eyes will be on whether Sanders can turn locker room support into on-field opportunity, proving that his draft slide was a misjudgment of his potential.
