The Cleveland Browns ended the long wait for Shedeur Sanders to find an NFL home.<\/p>\n
Cleveland traded up to select the Colorado quarterback with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round Saturday, making him the sixth quarterback taken in this year\u2019s draft. A quarterback considered to be among the top quarterbacks available<\/a> in this year\u2019s draft class, Sanders\u2019 slide became the story of Day 3 of the draft as 143 picks came and went before his selection.<\/p>\n The Browns, who drafted a quarterback \u2014 Oregon\u2019s Dillon Gabriel \u2014 in the third round on Friday as well, traded pick Nos. 166 and 192 to the Seattle Seahawks to move up to 144 and get Sanders.<\/p>\n It’s time to be legendary. \u231a\ufe0f @ShedeurSanders<\/a> @Browns<\/a> <\/p>\n (via @ShiloSanders<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/HIrX4DDf5o<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n After slipping out of the first round, Sanders seemed confident he would be among the next crop of players announced. During a draft party at his father Deion\u2019s home on Thursday night, Sanders told the crowd<\/a>, \u201cTomorrow is the day.\u201d<\/p>\n But Rounds 2 and 3 passed Friday, and the former Colorado QB went unclaimed. Five QBs went ahead of him, including two in the first round. The Tennessee Titans used the first pick to take Miami\u2019s Cam Ward, and the New York Giants traded up to snag Ole Miss\u2019 Jaxson Dart at No. 25. Louisville\u2019s Tyler Shough was the lone QB selected in Round 2 (No. 40, New Orleans Saints) while Round 3 saw Alabama\u2019s Jalen Milroe (No. 92) and Gabriel (No. 94) landed with the Seattle Seahawks and Browns, respectively.<\/p>\n In Cleveland, Sanders joins a quarterback room that includes veteran Joe Flacco, fourth-year pro Kenny Pickett and the fellow rookie in Gabriel. The Browns also still have Deshaun Watson, who retore his Achilles<\/a> and underwent a second surgery this offseason to repair it, putting his 2025 in jeopardy.<\/p>\n Sanders, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, followed up his 27-touchdown, three-interception junior season with a conference-leading 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, 353 completions and 8.7 yards gained per attempt in 2024. He added four rushing touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while his 74 percent completion rate led the FBS.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old Sanders teamed with Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter to lead Colorado to its first winning season since 2016 and only its second nine-win season since 2002.<\/p>\n That led to Sanders\u2019 perceived status as one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. The reasons for his slide will be dissected.<\/p>\n Sanders opted against competing in the Shrine Bowl and participating in drills at the combine. He throws an accurate deep ball, as he showcased at Colorado\u2019s pro day, but he also showed some wobbly throws on shorter routes, and\u00a0league evaluators described<\/a>\u00a0his arm strength as good, but not great. There were\u00a0also questions<\/a>\u00a0about Sanders\u2019 ability to grow and carry a locker room for teams looking for a franchise player.<\/p>\n As he waited on Friday, Sanders was the victim of a prank call<\/a> in which someone impersonated Saints general manager Mickey Loomis minutes before New Orleans announced its 40th pick.<\/p>\n The Athletic has live coverage of Rounds 4-7 of the\u00a02025 NFL Draft<\/a>. Read more of The Athletic\u2019s coverage from the 2025 NFL Draft:\u00a0Best Players Available<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Rounds 2 & 3 Grades<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Day 2 Winners & Losers<\/a><\/p>\n Sanders\u2019 slide elicited reactions from the football world and beyond<\/a>. Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said Friday he was \u201csurprised\u201d to see Sanders still undrafted.<\/p>\n \u201cThere will be this chip on his shoulder and beware, because this guy is going to play in this league,\u201d Payton said. \u201cI think it\u2019s hard for any of us to explain what other people are looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n Notable QBs selected on the final day include Tom Brady (sixth round pick in 2000) and the \u201cMr. Irrelevant\u201d of 2022, Brock Purdy.<\/p>\n Sanders\u2019 brother Shilo is also a Day 3 draft hopeful. The Athletic\u2019s Dane Brugler rated Shilo Sanders as his No. 43 safety<\/a>, with a UDFA grade.<\/p>\n \u2018The Beast\u2019 breakdown<\/p>\n Sanders ranked No. 34 in Brugler\u2019s top 300 big board<\/a>. Here\u2019s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough not close to the athlete his father was, Sanders is a controlled, polished passer who gets the ball out accurately in structure and when throwing on the move.<\/p>\n \u201cThe chief concern on his college tape is his inconsistent pocket feel, which was highlighted by poor protection. \u2026 Overall, Sanders doesn\u2019t have the physical traits to get away with some of his decisions, but he is a poised, rhythmic passer when he stays true to his skill set, and he shows the necessary touch and confidence of an NFL starter. He fits best in a timing-based offense.\u201d<\/p>\n Coaching intel<\/p>\n What an anonymous coach had to say about Sanders in Bruce Feldman\u2019s mock draft<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cI think he has good arm talent and really good poise. I think he\u2019s almost too cocky, at least at the college level, where he would take some really bad sacks. Decision-making-wise, I think he thinks he\u2019s better than everybody else, and that does help him elevate his game, but it also gets him into some bad situations. And if he doesn\u2019t shake that, he\u2019s gonna take way too many sacks in the NFL.\u201d<\/p>\n OMARION MILLER WOULDN’T BE DENIED \ud83d\ude31<\/p>\n This was a wild touchdown by @CUBuffsFootball<\/a> \ud83e\uddac pic.twitter.com\/VO6OVfcrQ5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n