The Cleveland Browns selected Shedeur Sanders, the Colorado quarterback, with the 144th pick in the NFL draft’s fifth round, marking a surprising drop for a player many considered a first-round talent. Sanders was projected to be picked as high as No. 3 by the New York Giants or No. 21 by the Pittsburgh Steelers but went undrafted until Saturday, with five quarterbacks chosen before him, including Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart.
Upon his selection, Sanders expressed gratitude on X, stating, “Thank you GOD.” The Browns followed by releasing a highlight reel of Sanders, emphasizing him as a valuable addition to their roster. Before the draft, NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers noted him as the best available prospect and ranked him 30th overall.
Shedeur, the son of NFL Hall of Famer and current Colorado coach Deion Sanders, began his collegiate career at Jackson State in 2021 under his father. They both transitioned to Colorado after the 2022 season, where Sanders played his final two years. Notably, he won the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in his senior season, completing 74% of his passes for 4,134 yards, with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His performance was pivotal in Colorado’s turnaround, leading the team to nine wins in 2024 after a dismal previous season.
Despite his impressive achievements, Sanders faced scrutiny regarding his character off the field during the lead-up to the draft. His selection by the Browns reflects not only his skill but also the NFL’s unpredictable nature, particularly regarding player evaluations and draft projections.
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