Table of Contents
- Shedeur Sanders: From College Star to NFL Prospect
- The Draft Slide: Browns Trade Up for Sanders
- Skills and Potential: What Sanders Brings to Cleveland
- Impact on the Browns: A New Era at Quarterback
Shedeur Sanders: From College Star to NFL Prospect
Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, has been in the spotlight since his high school days. Born into football royalty, Shedeur’s journey to the NFL was marked by immense expectations and undeniable talent. Starting his collegiate career at Jackson State University in 2021, where his father was head coach, Shedeur quickly established himself as a standout quarterback. In 2022, he earned SWAC Player of the Year honors, throwing for 3,752 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, while adding six rushing touchdowns.
Following two successful seasons at Jackson State, Shedeur transferred to the University of Colorado in 2023, joining his father and teammate Travis Hunter, who was later drafted No. 2 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. At Colorado, Shedeur excelled, averaging 356.2 passing yards per game in his first five starts and finishing his debut season with 27 passing touchdowns and only three interceptions, despite the team’s 4-8 record. His final college season in 2024 further solidified his reputation, as he led Colorado to a bowl game and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. His jersey was retired by Colorado before the 2025 NFL Draft, a testament to his impact on the program.
Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders was widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects, often ranked alongside Miami’s Cam Ward, who went No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. Analysts like Mel Kiper Jr. praised Sanders as the best quarterback available, citing his accuracy, poise, and ability to perform under pressure. However, concerns about his arm strength, pocket mobility, and off-field perception—partly due to his high-profile persona and $6 million NIL valuation—raised questions among some scouts. Despite these concerns, Sanders’ college production and football pedigree made him a projected first- or second-round pick.
His pre-draft process was a mixed bag. At Colorado’s pro day, Sanders showcased an accurate deep ball but struggled with shorter routes, and his arm strength was described as “good but not great.” Interviews with NFL teams were inconsistent, with some praising his poise and others questioning his maturity. These factors, combined with a deep quarterback class, set the stage for one of the most dramatic draft slides in recent memory.
The Draft Slide: Browns Trade Up for Sanders
The 2025 NFL Draft was a rollercoaster for Shedeur Sanders. Expected to be a first-round pick, Sanders watched as five quarterbacks—Cam Ward, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, Dillon Gabriel, and others—were selected before him through the first three rounds. His slide became the story of the draft, drawing attention from media, fans, and even former President Donald Trump, who criticized NFL teams for passing on Sanders, citing his “phenomenal genes.”
Sanders remained optimistic, posting on X, “Another day another opportunity to get a chance to play the game I love. Thank you GOD #LEGENDARY,” as Day 3 began. The Cleveland Browns, who had already selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round, shocked the football world by trading up with the Seattle Seahawks to secure the 144th overall pick in the fifth round and select Sanders, ending his agonizing wait. The trade was a bold move by Browns GM Andrew Berry, who had been vocal about Sanders’ poise and intelligence during the pre-draft process.
The Browns’ decision to draft Sanders was particularly surprising given their existing quarterback depth, which included veterans Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett, as well as the newly drafted Gabriel. Watson’s uncertain future, following a retear of his Achilles tendon, likely influenced the Browns’ strategy to bolster their quarterback room. Sanders’ selection was met with jubilation, as captured in a Twitch stream by his brother Shilo Sanders, showing Shedeur dancing and celebrating with family. He later posted on X, “Thank you GOD,” expressing gratitude for the opportunity.
The Browns’ move earned high praise from analysts, with CBSSports.com giving the pick an A+ for its value, noting that Sanders’ slide made him a steal at No. 144. However, the selection also raised questions about Cleveland’s long-term quarterback plans, given their crowded depth chart and the challenges of integrating two rookie quarterbacks.
Skills and Potential: What Sanders Brings to Cleveland
Shedeur Sanders brings a polished skill set to the Cleveland Browns, with strengths that align well with the demands of an NFL quarterback. Described as a “pocket quarterback who wins with anticipation and great, not elite, accuracy,” Sanders excels at reading defenses and delivering precise throws. His college stats—over 10,000 passing yards, 97 touchdowns, and just 17 interceptions across four seasons—demonstrate his efficiency and ball security.
Sanders’ touch and confidence in the pocket draw comparisons to NFL starters, though he lacks the elite athleticism of his father. His ability to throw with anticipation allows him to compensate for solid but not exceptional arm strength, making him effective on intermediate and deep routes. However, scouts have noted weaknesses, including heavy feet that limit his ability to elude pressure and occasional cautious decision-making that can lead to missed opportunities.
Off the field, Sanders’ high-profile persona—fueled by his music and fashion interests, as well as his father’s larger-than-life presence—has been both an asset and a liability. His $6 million NIL valuation made him the most marketable college athlete, but some NFL teams questioned his maturity and ability to handle adversity. Despite these concerns, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, known for developing quarterbacks, is seen as an ideal mentor to help Sanders refine his mechanics and adapt to the NFL’s speed.
Sanders’ experience playing behind a porous offensive line at Colorado has prepared him for the challenges of Cleveland’s inconsistent line play. His ability to perform under pressure, combined with his football IQ, makes him a strong candidate to compete for a starting role, potentially as early as 2025, given Watson’s injury concerns.
Impact on the Browns: A New Era at Quarterback
The Cleveland Browns’ selection of Shedeur Sanders marks a potential turning point for a franchise that has struggled with quarterback stability since its return in 1999. With 40 different quarterbacks starting for the team in that span, the Browns are desperate for a long-term solution. Sanders’ arrival, alongside Dillon Gabriel, signals a shift toward building for the future, especially with Deshaun Watson’s uncertain recovery from a second Achilles surgery.
In the short term, Sanders will compete with Gabriel, Flacco, and Pickett for playing time, with the Browns likely to carry four or five quarterbacks into training camp. GM Andrew Berry has emphasized that Sanders must earn his spot, stating, “Nothing’s been promised, nothing will be given.” However, Sanders’ accuracy and productivity make him a strong contender to see the field in 2025, particularly if Watson remains sidelined.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Sanders brings star power to Cleveland. As the son of Deion Sanders, he carries the “Prime Time” legacy, which could energize the fanbase and boost the team’s marketability. His celebratory reaction to being drafted, captured on Twitch, resonated with fans, and his “Thank you GOD” post on X reflected a humility that could endear him to Cleveland’s passionate supporters.
Long-term, Sanders has the potential to become the Browns’ franchise quarterback, a role the team has not consistently filled since Bernie Kosar. Under Stefanski’s guidance, Sanders could develop into a reliable starter, leveraging his accuracy and football IQ to lead a Browns offense that includes young talents like running back Quinshon Judkins, also drafted in 2025. While his draft slide was a humbling experience, it may ultimately fuel Sanders’ drive to prove doubters wrong, ushering in a new era of “Prime Time” in Cleveland.
