- Projected top-5 pick falls to 144th selection
- Anonymous criticism about interviews and leadership surfaces
- Browns draft Oregon’s Gabriel before trading up for Sanders
- Multiple teams had first/second-round grades on QB
- Sanders vows to prove doubters wrong in Cleveland
The NFL draft’s most perplexing storyline emerged when Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders – widely projected as a first-round talent – tumbled to the fifth round. Despite ranking among college football’s most productive passers, Sanders wasn’t selected until the Cleveland Browns traded up at pick 144, a full 142 slots below his pre-draft projections. League sources confirm at least four teams graded him as a Day 1 or 2 prospect, intensifying questions about the disconnect between evaluations.
Scouts cited three recurring concerns during pre-draft assessments: Sanders’ tendency to hold the ball (26% pressure-to-sack ratio in 2023), perceived limitations in off-script playmaking, and unverified character critiques. An anonymous NFL coach’s claim about Sanders having “the worst formal interview” gained traction despite lacking corroboration. ESPN’s Louis Riddick countered these assessments during draft coverage, stating: “The film shows a quarterback completing 69% of passes under constant pressure. This slide reeks of personal bias.”
Cleveland’s selection strategy raised eyebrows after they drafted Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel at No. 94 before acquiring Sanders. General manager Andrew Berry explained the dual QB approach: “We’re building a competitive environment where skills – not draft position – determine roles.” Historical data supports this philosophy – 12% of fifth-round QBs since 2000 became multi-year starters, including Taylor Heinicke and Tyrod Taylor.
The financial dynamics surrounding Sanders add complexity. His $4.3 million in college NIL earnings surpass the $3.9 million total value of his rookie contract, creating unique leverage. Industry analysts suggest this financial security could allow Sanders to focus purely on development rather than rushing into starting roles – a luxury most late-round picks don’t enjoy.
Regional NFL dynamics further contextualize the pick. The Browns’ Lake Erie rivalry with Buffalo (home to 2022 fifth-round success story Josh Allen) pressures Cleveland to find quarterback value. Sanders’ mobility (1,004 career rushing yards) aligns with AFC North trends – Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson both rank top-10 in QB rushing since 2020.
As Sanders joins offseason workouts, all eyes will monitor his adaptation to Kevin Stefanski’s play-action heavy system. With only 18% of his Colorado throws coming from under center, technical refinement becomes critical. However, his 89.3% adjusted completion rate on intermediate throws suggests untapped potential in pro-style concepts. The draft slide that stunned the league might ultimately fuel one of its most compelling comeback stories.