Browns' Shedeur Sanders Compares NFL Draft Slide to Playing QB, 'Can't Be Fazed by It'

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders revealed his mindset regarding his slide in the 2025 NFL draft.

"The most questions they asked me was, 'How is it mentally going through all this?' I just told them it's just like playing quarterback," Sanders told reporters on Saturday (19:50 mark). "So I can't be fazed by it."

Sanders was viewed by many as a first-round prospect entering the draft, but he didn't hear his name called until the fifth round after the Browns traded up to select him with the No. 144 overall pick.

The 23-year-old was the sixth quarterback off the board and the second signal-caller that Cleveland picked up, as the team previously selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round at No. 94 overall.

Sanders' draft slide was surprising, as he helped lead Colorado to a 9-4 record in 2024 and finished No. 8 in Heisman Trophy voting.

In 13 starts, he completed 74.0 percent of his passes while leading the Big 12 with 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns through the air. He also threw 10 interceptions.

Sanders' performance in pre-draft interviews reportedly wasn't as impressive compared to other quarterback prospects, which may have contributed to his draft fall.

USA Today's Jarrett Bell also spoke to multiple NFL executives who expressed that Colorado head coach Deion Sanders' involvement in his son's pre-draft process impacted his drop to Day 3.

Despite his status as a fifth-round pick, the younger Sanders will have an opportunity to earn a Week 1 starting role as a rookie.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that "everyone in the room is competing for the job" following the draft, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal.

With Deshaun Watson's 2025 availability uncertain after suffering a torn Achilles tendon, Sanders is expected to compete with Gabriel, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco for a spot atop Cleveland's depth chart.