One of the biggest surprises of the 2025 NFL Draft was the prolonged wait for Shedeur Sanders to hear his name called. Once projected as a potential top-10 pick, Sanders instead slipped all the way to Day 3, eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 144 overall pick in the fifth round — a stunning fall few saw coming.
His unexpected slide has generated significant discussion, including comments from a former Browns head coach. According to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Sanders fell into a trap of believing too strongly in his own hype, which ultimately hurt his draft stock.
“It didn’t help Sanders’ stock that he didn’t compete in the Senior Bowl or at the NFL Scouting Combine,” Feldman wrote. “If you’re not a first-round lock or injured, that’s going to create some pause. A former NFL quarterbacks coach I spoke with Sunday morning said it was ‘not surprising’ that Sanders waited as long as he did in the draft.”
There were rumors Sanders could still go earlier, with speculation linking him to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they ultimately chose a different direction, leaving Sanders to continue his wait.
Shedeur Sanders of Colorado speaks to the media during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine
Feldman also cited a former quarterbacks coach who criticized Sanders’ perceived lack of self-awareness with NFL teams. “The intel I got was shocking: ‘This guy has no awareness about how he’s coming across, or the type of leverage he has or doesn’t have,’” the coach said.
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Why Cleveland is a good landing spot for Sanders
Despite the disappointment of a Day 3 selection, landing in Cleveland could turn out to be a blessing for Sanders. The Browns have a roster filled with experienced veterans who could provide valuable mentorship for the rookie quarterback.
Prior to the draft, Cleveland already had DeShaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett under contract. With Watson expected to miss the 2025 NFL season after suffering two Achilles tendon ruptures, the door is open for Sanders to learn, develop, and eventually compete for playing time.
What hurt Sanders’ draft stock?
One major factor that worked against Sanders was his decision to skip both the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl. Sanders also reportedly limited interviews with teams he believed would be out of range to draft him. Those he did meet with, according to multiple reports, came away with mixed impressions regarding his attitude and approach.
Without Combine participation or extensive interviews, many NFL teams simply didn’t have enough information or confidence to invest a high pick in Sanders — contributing to his surprising fall down the draft board.
