Biggest surprise of 2025 NFL Draft: Shedeur Sanders chosen in the fifth round

Shedeur Sanders (2C2K Photography, Wikimedia Commons)

The 2025 National Football League Draft took place this past weekend. Many people were correct that quarterback Shedeur Sanders of Tyler, Texas went to the Cleveland Browns. However, nobody saw it coming that Sanders was drafted in the fifth round by the Browns, 144th overall.

Sanders was projected by many to be a first round pick. After the Tennessee Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward of West Columbia, Texas out of the University of Miami, Sanders was in the conversation to be the next quarterback chosen. However, the Browns traded their first round pick to Jacksonville and selected defensive tackle Mason Graham out of the University of Michigan with the fifth overall pick.

Among the teams that passed on Sanders and went with another quarterback instead were the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Seattle Seahawks. In fact, Sanders was not even the top quarterback chosen by the Browns, as Cleveland selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round out of Oregon.

By drafting Gabriel and Sanders, the Browns seem more and more likely to move on from troubled NFL quarterback DeShaun Watson. The Watson acquisition was not popular by many football fans after the quarterback was allegedly accused of sexual harassment and assault of 24 women in the Houston area. The fact that the Browns have Sanders and Gabriel, could significantly solidify their quarterback position for years to come.

Statistically in 2024, Sanders was sensational with Colorado. He completed 353 passes in 477 attempts for 4134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Sanders also had 100 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

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