Quarterback Shedeur Sanders fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, eventually being picked by the Cleveland Browns. This drop in draft stock raised many eyebrows, especially considering the expectations surrounding his talent. Insights from Todd McShay of The Ringer revealed a negative pre-draft interview with the New York Giants' head coach Brian Daboll. Reports indicated that Sanders struggled during a private meeting, which may have cost him higher draft positioning. The Giants ultimately opted for Jaxson Dart, further underscoring their lack of confidence in Sanders.

During post-draft press conferences, Daboll refrained from addressing the interview specifics, focusing instead on the players the Giants did select. The continuous scrutiny on Sanders's transition into the NFL will be paramount as he joins a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland. With Deshaun Watson as the presumed starter, Sanders will need to prove his mettle in training camp to secure his role in the team.

Shedeur Sanders' NFL draft experience took a bizarre turn when his private phone number was leaked and used in a prank call impersonating New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. The caller humorously misled Sanders about being selected by the Saints during the draft, to which Sanders responded with confusion. Luckily, Sanders remained unphased by the incident, showing maturity and resilience. Following his selection by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, he expressed that such childish pranks do not affect him.

The prank has drawn criticism from various NFL figures, including Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who labeled the act as 'sad' and condemned the prank callers as 'morons.' Despite the unfortunate prank, Sanders was the sixth quarterback selected in the draft, illustrating his potential amidst a challenging draft process.

The San Francisco 49ers selected a quarterback in the 2025 draft but notably passed on Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback from the University of Colorado, six times. General manager John Lynch's ambiguous responses when asked about the team's interest in Sanders suggest that he was not a serious option for the 49ers. Lynch expressed empathy for Sanders, acknowledging the challenges he faced as a young player but emphasized that it’s about what one does with the opportunities presented. Sanders was ultimately drafted by the Cleveland Browns at pick 144, a landing spot that may be more favorable than a backup role behind Brock Purdy in San Francisco. If Sanders fulfills the expectations leading to his draft, he could represent a missed opportunity for the Niners.

Shedeur Sanders, drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th pick, shocked many as he slipped down the board despite being viewed as a second-round talent based on his performance. His fall was attributed to poor interviews at the combine, where he reportedly struggled to showcase his understanding of football concepts, raising concerns about his work ethic. Despite the Browns selecting Dillon Gabriel prior to Sanders, he now faces competition for the starting quarterback role against veterans Kenney Pickett and Joe Flacco. The pressure is on Sanders to prove himself and adapt to an NFL system after playing behind one of the weakest offensive lines in college football.

In college, Sanders demonstrated impressive ability under pressure, but transitioning to the NFL presents significant challenges, particularly given the complexity of Kevin Stefanski's offensive scheme. The Browns have high hopes for Sanders, hoping he can outperform his draft position and contribute to the team, but they are cautious, considering their history with high-profile quarterback selections. As minicamps approach, Sanders must quickly learn the intricacies of the NFL game and demonstrate growth.

Shedeur Sanders' tumultuous journey through the 2025 NFL Draft ends as he joins the Cleveland Browns, amplifying their quarterback conundrum. Drafted in the fifth round, Sanders becomes the fifth QB on the roster, following an offseason where the Browns acquired veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, with Deshaun Watson out for the season due to injury. This chaotic situation raises pressing questions about the starting role and the future of Cleveland's quarterback position.

Despite earlier projections placing Sanders among the top picks, he fell to the fifth round, leaving analysts puzzled. The addition of Sanders complicates an already crowded QB competition, leading to speculation on who will lead the team come Week 1 and if Watson will reclaim his position upon recovery.