The Cleveland Browns selected Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, No. 144 overall.
Sanders was projected to go on Day 1 or 2 of the draft but shockingly fell all the way to the fifth round. Cleveland traded up with the Seahawks, sending picks No. 166 and No. 192 for No. 144.
The 23-year-old becomes the sixth quarterback selected in the draft behind Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel, who the Browns also drafted.
Sanders reacted on social media to him not getting selected in the first round Thursday night.
"We all didn’t expect this of course, but I feel like with God, anything possible, everything possible," Sanders said on his father Deion Sanders' instagram account.
"I don’t feel like this happened, you know, for no reason. All this is of course, fuel to the fire. And under no circumstance, we all know this shouldn’t have happened. But we understand we on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s a day. We’re gonna be happy regardless. Legendary."
Sanders will join a quarterback room that now includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Gabriel. The Browns traded the No. 2 pick in the first round to the Jacksonville Jaguars and selected Mason Graham after adding draft capital that includes a 2026 first-rounder.
"Our message to (Sanders) was you have to come in to work and to compete. Nothing's given. We did tell him it doesn't matter where you're picked, it's what you do after you're picked," Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Saturday after selecting Sanders, according to Browns analyst Tony Grossi.
Sanders was a two-year starter at Colorado after starting his college career at Jackson State. He threw for 7,364 yards with 64 touchdowns and 13 interceptions during his time with the Buffaloes.
Pre-draft profile
Sanders is a fascinating prospect. In many ways, he seems like the player Caleb Williams would be if not for Williams' high-end arm talent and athleticism. The ceiling simply isn't as high without elite physical traits. But that doesn't mean he can't be a long-term starter. Sanders sees and anticipates the game well and is accurate to all areas of the field. He also demonstrated some incredible toughness while taking a beating behind a brutal offensive line at Colorado. While he doesn't have prototypical size, that's never impacted his ability or willingness to attack the middle of the field. Sanders occasionally gets himself into trouble against pressure, retreating back in an effort to create and taking some bad sacks. A lack of athleticism will make it even more difficult to improvise in such a way at the next level. He has shown he can extend plays within the pocket, though, and that trait should really shine with the benefit of semi-competent pass protection. Sanders could become a productive starter with the right supporting cast and a system that makes him the point guard of a quick-hit passing game.
