Well, Shedeur Sanders‘ draft fall will be a storyline for ages. Now, who would have thought that a guy setting top 10 expectations would be a 144 overall pick in the 5th round? But that happened – and now, analysts either criticize Shedeur’s “brash” and “arrogant” attitude or his blunt honesty, but never his actual performance. As it’s more about how he speaks than how he throws. Don’t forget he is the guy who went straight at his own team’s offensive line when he got sacked five times. “Of course, when you’re able to run the ball consistently, that opens up the pass, you know?” Shedeur said. But it looks like straight talk gets fined—unless you’re Travis Hunter. That’s exactly the double standard this ex-NFL player is pointing at.
Look, the Jaguars gave up their 36th overall pick and 126th overall pick this year and also their first-round pick next year for Travis Hunter, and that’s a massive move. But wasn’t getting a two-way player a matter of concern in the NFL? Not really, as Jaguars GM James Gladstone liked Hunter’s confidence to thrive on both sides. He said, “Travis Hunter, he embodies belief. He is a rare person; he is a rare player. But he is also a reminder that the boundaries of football were built to be challenged. And so the decision to select him was actually a statement. A statement for how we plan to move, who we are. And we want him to be nothing more than himself.”
But suddenly, when Shedeur Sanders showed confidence during his Combine interview, showing belief in his skills, it became a matter of criticism. “Because I know I’m the most guaranteed risk you can take, I know I’ve done it, so I know what it looks like, back-to-back, over and over. I’ve been in situations where I know I had to change my playing style to adapt, I had six different offensive coordinators, I’m able to adapt to each one, and the production always went up. It never went down.” Shedeur said. That’s exactly what former NFL QB Max Browne is calling out loud.
Bringing out this interesting tangible on his IG account, Browne said, “All the stuff teams loved about Travis Hunter is the exact stuff they feared with Shedeur: swagger, confidence, and presence in the locker room. I’m talking about intangibles for Travis. It was a plus for Shedeur and raised red flags.”
“The Jags traded a haul to get Travis at number two. His swagger sells tickets and jerseys and energizes your fan base and also makes your DB room just play better, like immediately. Within a couple of seasons, that swagger can extend out to your whole team,” Browne added.
But when it was for Shedeur, the hate was evident. “Now flip it. Shedeur wasn’t a fifth-rounder based off his talent; he slipped because of those intangibles. It was the interviews, the vibe, and the internal concern that the brand might be more important than ball, the same level of swagger and confidence, but somehow those traits helped one friend and hurt the other,” said Browne.
Look, things were already tricky for Shedeur Sanders since the start of the draft. This guy opted out of the NFL Combine and chose to throw at a private Pro Day that raised many red flags. This raised serious behavioral concerns. Plus, the kind of hate people have for Deion Sanders also pushed him back. That’s exactly what former NFL player Damien Woody explained about Shedeur’s draft fall:
“The NFL clearly felt that Shedeur Sanders was a good prospect, but he wasn’t what the young people call ‘him. And then on top of that, you factor in all the celebrity and everything that comes with Shedeur Sanders… that is the ultimate recipe for why you found yourself in the fifth round.”
But despite all that, the Cleveland Browns couldn’t pass at him despite having a QB-heavy team. Browns GM Andrew Berry pulls the trigger during the draft, trading picks 166 and 192 to move up and select Shedeur at 144. This bold move surprised many, especially since Cleveland drafted Dillon Gabriel two rounds earlier. But Berry saw immense value in Sanders, believing he’d outperform his draft position. “A guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot,” he explained, prioritizing potential over filling a need.
Dak Prescott’s 2016 success offers a similar example. Dallas drafted him 135th overall, and opportunity knocked. Romo’s preseason back injury and Moore’s broken leg created a chance Prescott seized. Thirteen wins, Rookie of the Year—the Cowboys haven’t looked back. But here’s a big question: Will he be able to see the field this season with such high competition?
Shedeur Sanders’ future with the Browns seems tricky
The fifth-round selection of Shedeur Sanders by the Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft surprised many, ending his Day 3 slide. High expectations followed him into rookie minicamp, where many anticipated early reps. However, Dillon Gabriel, a third-rounder from Oregon, Oklahoma, and UCF, surprisingly started Friday’s team drills, taking the first six snaps while Sanders watched. Head coach Kevin Stefanski downplayed any significance: “I wouldn’t look into, really, anything,” he said, emphasizing the rotation’s insignificance in the competition.
Stefanski clarified that the quarterback battle would extend throughout the spring and summer. “It’s an all-encompassing evaluation,” he stated, urging patience. Both Sanders and Gabriel threw roughly three dozen passes during drills, showcasing their collegiate talent. Practice progressed through individual drills, 11-on-11s, and 7-on-7s. Stefanski praised both, stating, “They were as advertised.” He adds, “There’s so much to work on. It’s the minutiae of the position.” For now, technical refinement trumps depth chart positioning.
The Browns boast a veteran-laden quarterback room. Deshaun Watson’s serious Achilles injury will likely sideline him for much of the season. In the interim, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are participating in offseason workouts, providing Cleveland with experience and depth. Newcomers Sanders and Gabriel are now working to earn their place. Coach Stefanski views rookie camp as a crucial first step in team building.
Regarding first-team reps in OTAs, Stefanski remains pretty cool. “We’ll work through that,” he says. “There’s plenty of reps. There’s a lot of time between now and September.” He’s avoiding premature decisions, preferring a gradual evaluation throughout practices. With six quarterbacks and no immediate starter declared, Cleveland intends to let the best player emerge naturally through consistent reps, focused coaching, and a long-term approach leading into training camp.
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