Shedeur Sanders speaks on 2025 NFL Draft slide, Browns selection

The Cleveland Browns put an end to what quickly became the 2025 NFL Draft‘s biggest story. Selecting Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders stopped what was a historic slide. Sanders is officially a fifth-round pick, going No. 144 overall.

Watching 143 other names called could be demoralizing for many out there. But according to Sanders, the story has not affected him. His focus appears to be on football and continuing to work on his skill set heading into his rookie season.

“Nothing really affected me the last couple of days,” Sanders said to the Cleveland media. “I’m blessed. I know I have to clean up some things in my game. The main thing is proving (head coach Kevin) Stefanski and Mr. (Andrew) Berry right about picking me.”

Sanders will certainly have the opportunity to compete and prove the Browns made the right decision in taking him. Cleveland is set to have five quarterbacks heading into offseason camps. Dillon Gabriel was also taken in this draft, being the Browns’ third-round selection.

Deshaun Watson is the room’s highest-paid player, although Cleveland seems to be moving on from him. Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett were acquired this offseason for some veteran experience. Plenty of options are going to be ahead of Stefanski, potentially facing some tough decisions when roster cuts are needed.

The story of Sanders sliding in the draft will continue to make headlines, potentially throughout his entire career. He might not let the moment get in his head though, ready to just go out there and play football. Rookie minicamp will be the first opportunity for Sanders before OTAs and training camp get underway.

More on Shedeur Sanders, slide in 2025 NFL Draft

From the outside, opinions differed on Sanders throughout the process. At times, he was in the conversation to be an early pick in the first round. Others did not view the Colorado product as highly and thought there could be a tumble.

However, nobody imagined the fifth round would be where he would eventually get taken. Entering Thursday night, the No. 21 overall pick was a place circled with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he was not taken there, then sometime during Day 2 was more likely.

Teams continued to pass on him, including the Browns. As mentioned, Cleveland even took another quarterback with Gabriel. Maybe that is where reality hit a little harder with the slide continuing into Saturday.