Shedeur Sanders’ draft plunge ends with Cleveland Browns’ Redemption Bid
Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft wait tested resilience, but his fifth-round selection by the Cleveland Browns (No. 144 overall) culminated in a poolside celebration that encapsulated his unshakable confidence. The Colorado quarterback, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, tumbled down boards despite projections as a Day 1 pick, becoming the sixth QB drafted in 2025.
The Slide and the Splash
Once touted as a first-round lock after a record-breaking 4,134-yard season at Colorado, Sanders watched five quarterbacks—including Dillon Gabriel (Browns, Round 3)—go ahead of him. A prank call mid-wait added to the agony, but when Cleveland finally called, Sanders erupted. Live-streamed by brother Shilo, he donned a Browns cap, danced, and cannonballed into his Texas home pool. “You can’t be too low,” Sanders said. “Celebrate, then get to work. It’s just football.”
Historical Precedent and Unprecedented Fall
While Aaron Rodgers (2005) and Will Levis (2023) endured draft slips, Sanders’ drop was steeper. Analysts pinned it on concerns: 94 sacks in two seasons, arm-strength questions, and speculation about adapting outside his father’s system. Deion Sanders’ past comments about Eli Manning-style team preferences might’ve spooked GMs. “All I needed was an opportunity,” Shedeur shrugged.
Browns’ Bold Gamble
Cleveland stunned the league by drafting two QBs (Gabriel and Sanders) for the first time since 2012. GM Andrew Berry emphasized a “best player available” strategy, admitting Sanders’ fifth-round availability was unexpected. The move adds intrigue to a QB room featuring Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and Deshaun Watson (Achilles rehab). “I’ll show the real me,” Sanders vowed.
Proving Ground in Cleveland
Sanders joins a franchise in flux. Watson’s injury opens a short-term competition, but Cleveland’s investment in Gabriel complicates his path. Critics question his durability and pro readiness, yet Sanders’ poise under Colorado’s chaos—a 4-8 team reliant on his heroics—hints at untapped upside. “I’ve got to prove what I’m capable of,” he said. His father’s shadow looms, but Shedeur insists, “My purpose fuels me.”
Draft Day Dominoes
The QB run reshaped teams’ futures:
- Cam Ward (Miami) went No. 1 to Tennessee.
- Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) landed with the Giants at No. 25.
- Late-round steals: Will Howard (Ohio State) to Pittsburgh, Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) to Indianapolis.
Ohio State led all schools with 14 draftees, one shy of Georgia’s 2022 record.
Legacy in the Balance
Sanders’ draft saga mirrors his college journey—overcome doubt, defy odds. For Cleveland, the pick is a low-risk, high-reward flier on talent hardened by adversity. As Shedeur put it: “Whoever believes in me means the world.” Now, he must repay that faith—one spiral at a time.
