After an unexpected drop to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, quarterback Shedeur Sanders wasted no time getting to work in Cleveland.
Once projected as a first-round selection, the former Colorado standout and son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders now faces a steep climb to prove himself in a crowded Browns quarterback room.
Only days after the draft, Sanders was spotted training vigorously-first on a hill near Canton, Texas, and later on an indoor field in the Cleveland suburbs. In each session, he displayed focus and commitment, performing drills and delivering passes to volunteer receivers. These quiet, camera-free workouts are the beginning of what could become one of the most talked-about rookie campaigns in years.
Sanders’ fall to pick No. 144 caught many off guard. His college career included successful stops at Jackson State and Colorado, and he entered the draft with considerable hype.
Some NFL executives have since suggested that Deion Sanders’ hands-on approach may have made teams uneasy, potentially influencing Shedeur’s draft position. Still, his pedigree and skill set were too tempting for Browns General Manager Andrew Berry, who traded up to secure him in the fifth round. Berry later described Sanders as a player who “can outproduce his draft slot.”
Now in Cleveland, Sanders finds himself in a unique situation. The Browns have not had a Pro Bowl quarterback since 2007 and are looking for stability at the position-especially with starter Deshaun Watson expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season following an Achilles injury.
A quarterback battle with uncertain outcomes
The Browns’ current quarterback room is a blend of youth, experience, and ambiguity. Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett bring starting experience but may not be long-term answers. Rookie Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick out of Oregon, adds another layer of competition.
Shedeur Sanders enters this mix with more spotlight than most Day 3 selections. Unlike most fifth-rounders, he isn’t quietly blending into camp-his name, background, and college success ensure national attention.
But he’s also trying to achieve something nearly unprecedented. Since 1967, only four quarterbacks selected in the fifth round or later have started a Week 1 game in their rookie season. If Sanders starts this year, he’ll be the first true fifth-rounder in the common draft era to do so.
More recently, only one Day 3 draft pick has started their rookie season as a Day 1 starter over the past 15 years – Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys back in 2016.
The road to that milestone is difficult. Sanders will need to improve on areas of concern from college, including taking too many sacks under pressure. More importantly, he’ll need to outperform multiple quarterbacks in training camp and the preseason.
Still, the opportunity is real. Coach Kevin Stefanski has made it clear that the quarterback job is open, and all players will be evaluated equally. If Sanders can make the most of his reps, he could break through historical odds and emerge as one of the most compelling stories of the NFL season.
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