Shedeur Sanders’ Long Draft Wait Ends with Cleveland Browns Pick

After what felt like an eternity, Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, finally heard his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns selected the quarterback in the fifth round (No. 144 overall).

The Sanders Plummet

Sanders’ fall was quite unexpected, considering the hype surrounding him. Many draft analysts anticipated he would go earlier, but his stock allegedly plummeted due to concerns about his throwing mechanics, lack of elite traits, and poor decision-making under pressure.

“Shedeur has some leaks in his throwing motion… He doesn’t have an exceptional arm or running ability. He’s streaky.” – NFL offensive coordinator

– Source

Coaches also noted Sanders’ lack of awareness and inability to adapt his approach depending on the situation. These issues likely contributed to his late selection.

Competition in Cleveland

In Cleveland, Sanders will face fierce competition for the backup QB spot behind Joe Flacco. The Browns also drafted Dillon Gabriel from Oregon earlier in the draft. Despite the challenges, Sanders is determined to prove his critics wrong and carve out a role on the roster.

Other Notable Draft Moments

Quinn Ewers’ Surprising Slide

Another highly-touted quarterback, Quinn Ewers, also faced a steep drop. The former Texas Longhorn was selected in the seventh round (No. 254 overall) by the Miami Dolphins.

“Ewers was the No. 1-ranked QB in the 2021 recruiting class… He went on to have a solid but hardly spectacular college career.” – Author

Ewers’ late selection might have been influenced by his lackluster college performance and concerns about his decision-making and pocket awareness.

Rookie QBs and Backups

• Matthew Golden from Texas was selected in the first round (No. 23 overall) by the Green Bay Packers, adding depth and talent to their receiver corps.
• The New England Patriots drafted TreVeyon Henderson in the second round (No. 34 overall), Kyle Williams in the third round (No. 91 overall), and Craig Woodson in the fourth round (No. 131 overall), bolstering their skill positions and defense.
• The Las Vegas Raiders selected Dont’e Thornton Jr. from Tennessee in the fourth round (No. 124 overall) and Touchdown Tommy Mellott from Montana State in the sixth round (No. 212 overall), addressing their receiver and special teams needs.

Final Thoughts

For Sanders, the draft process is finally over. Now, he must focus on proving doubters wrong and carving out a role in the NFL. Other quarterbacks, like Ewers, also face challenges as they transition to the professional level.

*Source: The New York Times