After months of buzz pegging him as a potential first-round pick, former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders became one of the most unexpected storylines of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Instead of hearing his name called on Day 1, Sanders fell to the fifth round, where the Cleveland Browns selected him with the 144th overall pick.
Though the fall was steep, Sanders isn’t dwelling on disappointment. He’s making it clear that his draft position won’t define his NFL journey.
Making a statement in Cleveland
In his first month with the Browns, Sanders has drawn praise for his commitment and focus during offseason training. Head coach Kevin Stefanski highlighted the rookie’s strong start.
“He’s in there early, he’s getting his work done, he’s working really, really hard,” Stefanski said.
“I like everything there is about Shedeur.”
Sanders’ arrival comes amid a crowded quarterback situation in Cleveland. The team currently has veteran Deshaun Watson – recovering from an Achilles injury-on the roster, along with experienced backups Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who was drafted two rounds earlier.
Despite the competition, Sanders has approached the opportunity with humility and focus. Sources close to the organization have noted his eagerness to learn and his professionalism in team meetings and practices. While his path to playing time may be steep, his work ethic and college pedigree give him a real shot to climb the depth chart.
Sanders is no stranger to scrutiny or pressure. The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, he played four years of college football under his father’s coaching-two at Jackson State, followed by two seasons at Colorado after transferring to the FBS level. At Colorado, he posted elite numbers, completing nearly 72% of his passes for 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns, and only 13 interceptions across two seasons. His 160.4 passer rating reflected his efficiency and deep understanding of the game.
Off the field, Sanders also made headlines with lucrative NIL deals during his college career, reportedly earning more than the $4.6 million total value of his rookie NFL contract. Still, the former Heisman hopeful isn’t focused on money or fame now-he’s driven to prove he belongs in the NFL.
The Browns have signed him to a standard four-year rookie contract, and although he’s starting lower on the depth chart, Sanders is already showing he has the mindset to move up.
“He’s attacking it the right way,” a Browns insider noted.
“There’s no entitlement-just a kid who wants to get better.”
Whatever caused Sanders to slide down draft boards-be it his combine participation, pre-draft interviews, or media narratives around his father-none of it matters now. The stage is set for Shedeur Sanders to rewrite the story. And if his early days in Cleveland are any indication, he’s just getting started.
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