After a surprising slide in the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders is beginning to rewrite the narrative. Once projected as a first-round selection, the son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders ended up as the sixth quarterback taken, falling to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round.
Yet, just weeks into offseason training activities (OTAs), the former Buffaloes star is already generating buzz as a possible Week 1 starter.
The Browns‘ quarterback room is one of the most crowded in the NFL. With Deshaun Watson still recovering from injury, the franchise has added multiple options: veteran signal-callers Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well as Oregon standout Dillon Gabriel in the third round.
Sanders entered camp fourth on the depth chart, but recent comments from local media and former NFL players suggest that he may be quickly climbing the ranks.
Analysts and insiders begin to believe in Shedeur’s rise
ESPN Cleveland’s Aaron Goldhammer offered one of the boldest endorsements yet during a segment on Thursday.
“I have come to a realization, oh boy, by the time we get to September, I think Tony Grossi’s wrong,” Goldhammer said. “I think there’s a way Shedeur Sanders starts the first game.
“Now that I’ve seen some videos and talked to a bunch of people and multiple practices, I think Shedeur Sanders was the best quarterback out there yesterday. I think now Shedeur is putting the draft slide behind him and showing why Mel Kiper thought he was the best quarterback in this draft.”
Those who have tracked Sanders‘ rise from college standout to NFL hopeful have seen this potential before. During his two seasons at Colorado, Sanders threw for 7,364 yards and 64 touchdowns, leading the Buffaloes to a 9-4 record in 2024 and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl.
His footwork, vision, and accuracy have long been hallmarks of his game-and they’re starting to shine through at the professional level.
Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III added fuel to the optimism. After watching practice footage, Griffin praised the rookie’s timing, rhythm, and decision-making.
“When you watch all the clips of Shedeur Sanders, you see why his tape said he was a 1st Round QB,” Griffin wrote on social media. “He plays with NFL timing and rhythm, reads with his feet, plays ahead of the defense, has more than enough arm strength and knows how to layer the ball.”
Coach Stefanski addresses early camp questions
Earlier concerns had emerged when reports suggested Sanders had not participated in 11-on-11 drills while other quarterbacks had. Head coach Kevin Stefanski, however, clarified that Sanders had been active in full-team sessions on other days.
That reassurance, combined with his strong showing in 7-on-7 work-completing 7 of 9 passes for three touchdowns-has begun to silence some of the early doubts.
Still, the politics of the quarterback room could complicate Sanders‘ path. The Browns invested a third-round pick in Gabriel and signed Flacco to a $4 million deal, while Pickett was acquired via trade. Despite those obstacles, Sanders is doing his best to force the coaching staff to take notice.
If his current trajectory continues, Shedeur Sanders might just leap from fifth-round long shot to opening day starter-a development few predicted but many are now beginning to believe is possible.
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