Shedeur Sanders’ name was once tied to early draft buzz, but when the 2025 NFL Draft wrapped up, he hadn’t been called until the fifth round. For a quarterback who once stood out at Colorado, this slide caught plenty off guard.
The Browns eventually took him with the 144th pick, trading up to do so. But the question lingered: what happened?
Sports analyst Jason McIntyre thinks the answer doesn’t rest on Shedeur’s shoulders. It’s about Deion Sanders.
During a recent segment on Fox Sports, McIntyre claimed NFL front offices were wary of the attention that comes with drafting Deion’s son. “I thought it was 50-50,” he said. “Now I think it was mostly Deion. The constant headlines, the complaints, the spotlight — some teams didn’t want that.”
He was referring to Deion’s outspoken reaction in the weeks after the draft, where he pushed back on claims that Shedeur mishandled interviews with teams. Some insiders believe that kind of public defense — while loyal — didn’t help teams feel confident in the situation.
Despite the drop, Shedeur showed up early in Cleveland, already getting reps in at minicamp. His workouts were sharp, focused, and quiet — a contrast to the media noise that surrounded his draft experience.
More Than a Famous Last Name
Shedeur’s presence in the league comes with big expectations — not because of his draft slot, but because of who he is.
He comes from a legacy, but he’s also created a strong track record of his own. In his final college season, he led the nation in completion percentage and posted some of the lowest off-target rates in the FBS. His numbers weren’t inflated by screens alone — he completed over half of his deep throws, an area where many college QBs struggle.
As ESPN reported, Sanders now enters a Browns team that hasn’t had a Pro Bowl quarterback since 2007. With Deshaun Watson out and Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel in the room, the competition is wide open.
The Dak Prescott Comparison — and the Odds
Only a handful of quarterbacks taken in the fifth round or later have started in Week 1 as rookies. Dak Prescott is the standout example, stepping up for the Cowboys in 2016 after injuries cleared the way. Shedeur isn’t walking into the same situation, but the possibility isn’t off the table.
Even so, the path ahead won’t be easy. Analysts say his biggest challenge isn’t his arm or accuracy — it’s the sacks. Over the past two college seasons, Sanders was sacked more than any other QB. A combination of weak protection and a tendency to hold the ball too long made him vulnerable.
But Sanders is aware of that flaw and isn’t making excuses. “Sometimes I played hero ball,” he said during the scouting combine. “I know what needs fixing.”
The Browns’ Bet
Andrew Berry, Cleveland’s GM, made a point to say they drafted Sanders because they believe he could outperform his position. It wasn’t just about value — it was about potential. Even after picking another quarterback earlier, the Browns saw something worth betting on.
And for Shedeur, this is now less about why he fell — and more about what he does from here.
