Browns Draft Shedeur Sanders, Son of NFL Legend Deion Sanders

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns selected quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday after trading up to secure the pick from the Eagles. Sanders, who is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was a celebrated college player.

Before joining the Browns, Sanders spent his first two college seasons at Jackson State and transferred to Colorado, where he accumulated 7,364 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in his final two seasons. In 2024, he achieved notable success as a second team All-American and the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, completing 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns.

“We felt like he was a good solid prospect at the most important position,” said Browns Executive Vice President and General Manager Andrew Berry. “We view him as a highly accurate pocket passer who does a good job of taking care of the ball. We’re excited to work with him.”

Sanders is the second quarterback drafted by the Browns this year, joining Dillon Gabriel from Oregon. This offseason, the Browns have added four quarterbacks to their roster, including Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.

Despite being a highly discussed prospect heading into the draft, Sanders faced scrutiny leading up to the selection as concerns about off-field distractions and performance surfaced. The Browns moved to acquire Sanders after they initially passed on him multiple times.

<p“Nothing really affected me the last couple of days,” Sanders told reporters after his selection. “The main thing, I'm just proving, coach (Kevin) Stefanski and (general manager Andrew) Berry that they are right about picking me. I’m a good decision.”

Berry emphasized the importance of Sanders’ performance in college and acknowledged the decision-making process that led to drafting two quarterbacks.

“We believe in best player available. We didn’t expect him to be available in the fifth,” Berry stated.

Sanders’ college career was filled with records and accolades, showcasing a strong performance under pressure despite playing behind a struggling offensive line. He registered an impressive 70.1 completion percentage throughout his college career, raising expectations for his NFL future.

With no designated long-term quarterback starter, Sanders now has the opportunity to compete for the starting position in Cleveland’s quarterback room. He is aware of the competition and is eager to earn his spot.

“I know I’m going to fit in perfectly,” Sanders added. “It’s about showing the respect to the vets and being ready to work.”

As training and practice begin, the battle among quarterbacks will intensify, starting with rookie minicamp in May. The Browns hope that Sanders can prove himself and become a reliable starter for the franchise.