Draft Season never fails to stir the pot. With rumours buzzing all around and future prospects changing with a phone call, everything is dramatic here. However, this year, few other stories could compare to the bizarre and convoluted path of Shedeur Sanders’ draft journey; a journey marked by silence, shock, and a surprising turn of events.
The Cleveland Browns raised eyebrows early when they selected quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With Sanders still available, many assumed that the door had firmly shut for the twenty-three-year-old QB. But just two rounds later, Cleveland shocked everyone again, trading up to pick Sanders with the 144th overall selection. Two quarterbacks in one draft? That alone was a surprise. But what followed was even more bizarre. After the draft pick, HC Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry, looking stone-faced, almost disappeared after selecting Sanders. From a front office rumored to be eyeing Sanders, it was far from a reaction you’d expect after landing a potential game-changer.
Star: Cleveland Browns CB Greg Newsome on the NFL Draft:
“I like Shedeur…I like a QB that just got that IT factor… If you coming in there with that confidence and swagger…That’s my type of guy.”
It seems like the Browns’ locker room has already decided they want Shedeur… pic.twitter.com/JtMLvKiI8j
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 28, 2025
But inside the locker room, it’s a different story. Sanders is already earning respect from his teammates. Especially from Browns’ star cornerback Greg Newsome. Dov Kleimen took to X to share Greg’s thoughts on Sanders, “I like Shedeur,” Newsome said, “I like a QB that just got that ‘it’ factor. … If you coming in there with that confidence and swagger … that’s my type of guy. Honestly, like, Cam Ward is unbelievable, too, but, like, just straight personality and all that at the quarterback position, like, I remember my rookie year, Ben Roethlisberger, he talking crazy to me, I respect that.” Well, one thing is apparent: the front office might have varied opinions, but Browns’ locker room is thrilled to have Sanders as their starting quarterback.
Sanders’ slide in the draft was one of the weekend’s biggest talking points. The 23-year-old ended up waiting for longer than expected. A standout at Jackson State and Colorado, where he threw for over 7,300 yards and 64 touchdowns in two seasons. Sanders brought elite numbers and NFL lineage, coached by his father, also a Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders. And yet somehow, he fell to round five.
Adding to the chaos, Sanders was the victim of a prank call during draft weekend, which falsely told him that he was a part of the New Orleans Saints. The culprit behind this, Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons’ defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, later issued a public apology. Despite all the speculations around Sanders, he is undeniably a gifted player. Who knows, maybe in the game, the HC and GM will realise Sanders is exactly what the Browns didn’t know they needed.
Will Jimmy Haslam’s gamble pay off?
When the Cleveland Browns moved up in the fifth round to grab Shedeur Sanders, the buzz hit instantly. In a draft packed with twists and talent, this pick stood out. A quarterback with big-game DNA, eye-popping College stats, and a swagger that backs his game stats, Sanders had been in the spotlight all off season. But when the Browns made the move, the reaction in the room didn’t match the heat of the moment.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Bellarmine at Colorado Dec 21, 2024 Boulder, Colorado, USA Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders before the game against the Bellarmine Knights at CU Events Center. Boulder CU Events Center Colorado USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRonxChenoyx 20241221_mcd_ac4_175
Forget fireworks. There were no claps, straight faces, and a vibe that felt more business than celebration. That’s when the bigger picture started to take shape. This wasn’t just a draft pick, it was a decision powered from the top. Owner Jimmy Haslam, known for his passionate involvement in roster moves, was reportedly the driving force behind Sanders’ selection. While the front office had already grabbed Dillon Gabriel and signed two veteran quarterbacks, Haslam made sure Sanders didn’t slip through their fingers.
NFL insider Benjamin Allbright noted “internal disagreements” over draft strategy, particularly when it came to quarterbacks. Benjamin’s fresh insight made it crystal clear, he added, “There was definitely a split in the room—some were higher on other options, but when ownership speaks, decisions tend to follow.”
With four quarterbacks in the mix and the pressure dialled up, Cleveland’s QB room just became one of the most watched in the league. Whether it’s vision or gamble, the debate is on, but Haslam has already made his move. Now it’s time to see where it takes the Browns.
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