When the 2025 NFL Draftopened, there was still a whisper that Shedeur Sanders might sneak into the late first round. By the timeCleveland called his name with the 144th pick – in the third round, no less – that dream felt like a lifetime ago.
Sanders’ fall was a slow-motion unraveling that seemed less about his talent and more about the perception he created around himself. The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner pointed to missed opportunities – declining the Shrine Bowl, skipping combine drills – and summed up the feeling around league circles: Sanders and his camp bet big on his college tape doing the talking. It didn’t.
The Browns clearly saw enough to take a chance. After all, Sanders can sling it, and at Colorado, he showed flashes of a quarterback capable of extending plays and commanding an offense. But a lot of teams were already out. Behind the scenes, stories leaked out – rough interviews at the combine, a reportedly tense visit with Giants coach Brian Daboll (per The Ringer’s Todd McShay), and mounting whispers that Sanders came off as entitled or unprepared.
Perception vs. reality: Where did it go wrong?
Teams weren’t just spooked by attitude concerns. Several coaches and scouts – speaking anonymously to outlets like The Athletic – suggested that Sanders’ film raised questions about his decision-making, pocket presence, and readiness for NFL speed. One NFC quarterbacks coach even slapped a “sixth-round” grade on him.
By the end of Day 2, teams who needed quarterbacks had either found their guy or decided Sanders wasn’t worth the risk. The Browns, needing depth and a potential project at the position, scooped him up with little pressure to start him early. For Sanders, this might actually be the best-case scenario: time to develop without immediate expectations crashing down.
Analysts like ESPN’s Merril Hoge weren’t shy about their skepticism, warning that rushing Sanders onto the field could “set a franchise back two or three years.” But others, like Jeff Howe of The Athletic, pointed out that while the pre-draft noise was loud, the real issue was his inconsistent tape – not necessarily the rumors about his personality.
Still, there’s a path forward. Sanders has a rare connection to greatness: Tom Brady – the ultimate late-round success story and now a minority owner of the Raiders – has been mentioned as someone in Sanders’ corner. Brady knows what it’s like to be overlooked. If Sanders channels even a fraction of that mindset, the Browns’ gamble might end up looking brilliant.
For now, Cleveland has a talented but complicated quarterback prospect. How Shedeur Sanders handles the next chapter could define his career far more than where he was drafted.
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