Shedeur Sanders Reacts to Slide, 'Talent Is Everywhere Throughout the' NFL Draft

Shedeur Sanders gave his thoughts on his slide in the 2025 NFL draft before he was ultimately selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round.

"I feel like talent is everywhere throughout the draft," Sanders told reporters Saturday (1:50 mark). "It's about just being picked and who sees your value. That's pretty much it, because it's a lot of valuable players that go in the rounds after the first and second."

"I was able to get an opportunity when a lot of people didn't want to give me an opportunity, so that's what I'm truly thankful for," he added.

There was belief leading up to the draft that Sanders could hear his name called in the first round following a 2024 season at Colorado in which he won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and finished No. 8 in Heisman Trophy voting.

Instead, the 23-year-old was still available on Day 3 before Cleveland moved up to select him with the No. 144 overall pick.

Sanders was the second quarterback that the Browns took in the 2025 draft, as they selected Oregon's Dillon Gabriel in the third round.

Cleveland's starter under center for the 2025 season is far from certain, with head coach Kevin Stefanski previously explaining that anyone added to the quarterback room during the offseason will have a chance to compete for a spot atop the depth chart (via ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi).

Sanders will attempt to exceed expectations and land a starting role as he prepares to enter a training camp battle that also involves Gabriel, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.