Shedeur Sanders Selected by Browns in NFL Draft’s Fifth Round
GREEN BAY, Wisc. — In a surprising turn of events during the 2025 NFL Draft, Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the sixth pick of the fifth round (144th overall). Sanders, a highly-touted talent, faced an unexpected slide from a potential first-round pick, as five quarterbacks were chosen before him, including Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart.
Cleveland’s history with quarterbacks has been tumultuous, with the franchise seeing a staggering 40 different starting signal-callers since its return to the NFL. Last season alone, the Browns utilized Jameis Winston, Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Bailey Zappe. The organization remains committed to Watson, who is under a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract signed in 2022, despite his recent struggles and an 11-game suspension.
Shedeur Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, was a standout in college football. His performance at Jackson State helped the program secure back-to-back SWAC Championships, and he later transformed a struggling Colorado team into a competitive force, achieving a 9-4 record and an AP Top 25 finish in just two seasons.
Despite being polarizing among scouts—some questioning his arm strength and attitude—Sanders showed undeniable accuracy and a proven winning track record. His marketability has also been remarkable, drawing substantial attention and economic impact to the Boulder region, amounting to nearly $150 million in 2024. With several teams reportedly having first-round grades on him, Sanders’s fifth-round selection left many intrigued by his future in Cleveland.
