Russini Says She Never Got Intel Browns Ranked Shedeur Sanders High on Draft Board

The Athletic's Dianna Russini believes the Cleveland Browns only considered drafting quarterback Shedeur Sanders after he fell into the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

"I did not ever get any intel that the Cleveland Browns had him ranked high on their board," Russini said at the 14:45 mark of Tuesday's Scoop City podcast. "I think they saw that he was available in the fifth round, they met, they discussed it, and they went for it. They took a chance that maybe he can turn into something and be a player."

The Browns traded the No. 166 and No. 192 selections to select Sanders on Saturday at No. 144 overall.

General manager Andrew Berry indicated in his post-draft press conference that the Browns had considered drafting Sanders heading into Day 3.

"We live by our board, and we felt like he was a good solid prospect at the most important position. We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft," Berry said. "The acquisition cost was pretty light, and we think he's a guy who can outproduce his draft slot."

Berry continued: "Once it got to a point where it felt like it was a pretty steep discount, we just felt like hey, especially relative to the alternative ways that we could use the selection, this made the most sense."

The decision came the day after the Browns used the No. 94 pick to draft former Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Berry emphasized the Browns' intentionality in drafting Gabriel in Round 3, telling reporters the franchise has "spent a lot of time with Dillon throughout this process" by bringing him to Cleveland after the NFL scouting combine and a holding private visit and workouts with him in Oregon.

The Browns already added Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett earlier this offseason after the January news that Deshaun Watson had re-injured his Achilles tendon, calling into question his availability for the 2025 season.

When asked if Sanders would be given the chance to compete for the QB1 position next fall, Berry said on Saturday the Browns "expect every player to compete, simple as that."

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski added that the Browns may not divide first-team reps evenly between the four quarterbacks, but that the team feels "confident that we'll have a plan that is fair to each player, and fair to the team as well."