Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has quietly turned heads in the NFL this season, and Colin Cowherd believes teams that overlooked him in the draft may soon regret it.
Despite a rocky start to his professional career, Sanders‘ recent performances have thrust him into the conversation as the league’s top rookie signal-caller. It’s a dramatic turnaround from draft day when nearly every team passed on him multiple times.
Selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders‘ fall down the board was one of the most surprising developments of draft weekend. Once projected by some as a potential early-round pick, he slipped as teams expressed concerns about his pre-draft interviews and perceived maturity issues.
But Cowherd sees something different now that Sanders is on the field, leading the Browns’ offense with poise and efficiency.
Sanders’ rise and impact
In a recent edition of The Herd, Cowherd highlighted Sanders‘ production since taking over as Cleveland’s starter.
“Every team in this league passed on him at least four times,” Cowherd said, pointing out that Sanders has been the most effective rookie quarterback since he began starting games.
Sanders‘ statistical output supports Cowherd‘s claims. Over the past month, he has led all rookie quarterbacks in touchdowns, passing yards, and passer rating.
Against the Tennessee Titans, he threw for 364 yards and three passing touchdowns, adding a rushing score to cap off an impressive performance. Such numbers are unmatched among first-year quarterbacks this season and have earned him NFL Rookie of the Week honors for Week 14.
What makes Sanders‘ success even more remarkable is the environment in which he is playing. He operates behind one of the NFL’s weaker offensive lines and with a receiving corps that has struggled to consistently make plays.
Despite these challenges, Sanders has demonstrated accuracy, composure, and decision-making that have drawn attention across the league.
Still, Sanders‘ rookie season isn’t without its hurdles. He has faced growing pains typical of a first-year quarterback, including some turnovers and inconsistent stretches. However, for Cowherd, what matters most is the potential Sanders has shown.
As the season winds down, Sanders will remain under close scrutiny, not just from Browns fans but from NFL evaluators and analysts everywhere.
If he continues to develop and deliver at a high level, the narrative surrounding his draft stock and potential could shift dramatically, making teams that passed on him look increasingly short-sighted.
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