Shedeur Sanders Surprises by Sliding to Fifth Round of NFL Draft

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Shedeur Sanders, the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, was selected 144th overall by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, a surprising drop for a player once projected as a first-round choice.

Despite setting records at Colorado, including passing yards and touchdowns, Sanders fell significantly during the draft process, sparking discussions about the reasons behind his slide. He was the sixth quarterback drafted, with many critics questioning his pre-draft interviews and performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he opted not to throw.

Damien Woody, a former NFL lineman and current ESPN analyst, weighed in on Sanders’ situation on Monday. “The NFL sent a message, saying you’re not that dude. Honestly. The overwhelming message I saw when Shedeur slid to the fifth round, the NFL was basically saying you’re not that guy,” Woody remarked.

Sanders acknowledged the pressure of the pre-draft process, saying, “Nothing really affected me the last couple of days. I’m favored, I’m blessed…When you get on the field, there wasn’t too much negativity being said.”

His father, Deion Sanders, a Hall of Fame player and current coach, has guided his career, but some observers suggested this strong presence may have intimidated teams. “His father has a strong presence in his life. A lot of people are intimidated by that,” said former NFL player Hugh Douglas.

Analysts have pointed to Sanders’ performance metrics, noting weaknesses in arm strength and mobility. He completed only 54% of his passes under pressure, and he was sacked 94 times over his two seasons at Colorado, the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision during that span.

Despite the criticism, Sanders has a supportive environment in Cleveland. Browns general manager Andrew Berry stated, “We didn’t expect him to be available in the fifth round. We love adding competition to every position room.”

Sanders expressed gratitude and determination after being picked by Cleveland. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity, throughout everything…the positive happened so fast,” he said.

As the Browns keep moving forward with their quarterback strategy, Sanders finds himself competing with established veterans and fellow rookies for a starting role. His chance to prove doubters wrong comes this offseason amidst a new beginning in Cleveland.