April 26, 2025, 05:12 PM ET
One shocking slide in NFL Draft history ended in the fifth round as the Cleveland Browns traded their 166th and 192nd picks for the Seattle Seahawks, selecting Colorado quarterback Shedale Sanders in their 144th overall selection on Saturday.
The choice marked the end of a freefall, when Sanders, who was considered one of the top quarterbacks in his class, ranging from a potential first-round pick to a third-day choice. The Browns spent a large amount of time with Sanders through the pre-draft process. A large condition of Browns coaches, executives and owners groups traveled to Boulder, Colorado, where he and former teammate Travis Hunter had dinner before a pro day workout.
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Sanders’ arrival is at the inflection point of the Browns franchise. Last month, owner Jimmy Haslam called for a 2022 deal for quarterback Desshaun Watson’s team. It was the first time someone in the organization publicly admitted that trade had failed despite evidence of three seasons on the field. Watson has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league since his arrival in Cleveland, and is expected to miss out on much of the 2025 season.
Sanders is also the second quarterback the Browns took in the 2025 draft following Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel’s selection in the third round. Sanders will be taking part in the modified quarterback room, which also includes Joe Flaco and Kenny Pickett. Both were added this offseason.
Browns reporter Daniel Oyhoosi answers the biggest questions surrounding the team’s decision to take the second quarterback in the draft. Additionally, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler shares League Inter about what led to slide and draft analyst Steve Muench.
The Browns chose Sanders the day after drafting Oregon quarterback Dilongabriel in round three. AP Photo/David Zalbausky
After drafting Gabriel, why did the Browns choose Sanders?
Choosing Gabriel over Sanders in the third round was a broad surprise, but the Browns took Sanders after two rounds and took it. For general manager Andrew Berry, he was maximizing value with picks at the most important positions of the game. Berry on Saturday didn’t go into the draft in hopes of him taking two quarterbacks, but admitted he was flexible as he played out. Entering day three, he discussed with staff about the possibility of targeting Sanders if he continues to fall into the draft. After the team selected multiple players that the Browns were interested in, Berry said they ultimately decided that Sanders was worth too much.
“After feeling like it was a rather sudden discount, this felt like it made the most sense, especially compared to another way that you could use this choice,” Berry said. – oyefushi
What causes Sanders’ slides in the draft?
Sanders’ lack of talent in the top end resulted in losing his NFL home after the first day. The slides on the second day are difficult to explain. Clearly the league spoke: The team has problems with Sanders and covers his draft profile. Yes, the whispers continued that his pre-draft process had not worked out, especially his interview. But as a small number of people in the league have guessed, the slides happen when talent does not match or outweigh the potential shortcomings. Teams hate distractions. If they felt that Sanders’ presence was one for some reason, then his ability at the next level was not intoxicating enough to offset all of that. And more than that, this was a logistical issue. Three teams make the most sense: the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints. Once the third hit was there was a shortage of teams that needed passersby. – Fowler
What are people around the league saying about Sanders slides?
The fifth round for him is a bit ridiculous. Many raters scored him as a pick on the second day, but I spoke with multiple personnel evaluators who believed he scored him as a slow first round. That’s why they consider the Browns a good place. They were a team with no doubts of starters.
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Stylewise, Sanders is good for Stefanski’s attacks. He can thrive from play action. One of the challenges for Sanders: The Browns drafted Gabriel two rounds ago. All of this proves the thin margin of the pre-draft process. Perceptions differed greatly from team to team in what was considered a weaker quarterback class. Quarterbacks can slip even more than other positions due to the importance of fit and fewer employment opportunities. Combining that with a volatile pre-draft process can cost talented passersby like Sanders. – Fowler
What is Sanders’ outlook for playing time in 2025?
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said anyone who has been added to the quarterback room is expected to compete for the opening time. Sanders will be taking part in the four-man race with an experienced Flacco veteran, a former round pick at Pickett and another rookie who will adapt to Gabriel’s pro.
After a failed attempt to fit Watson and improve his offense last season, the Browns fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and promoted tight end coach/pass game specialist Tommy Reese to fill the vacant seat. So, the team is restructuring the scheme with a new passerby quartet, but Flacco is familiar with Stefanski from his stint later in the 2023 season.
“Obviously you may not split [the practice reps] ’25, 25, 25, but we’re really sure there’s a fair plan for each player and a fair plan for the team too,” Stefanski said.
Does this officially close a book from Cleveland’s Watson era?
The Browns say Watson’s health is uncertain about his future. His five-year contract has another two years left, with the Browns borrowing $46 million for each of the next two seasons. However, the team is running as if it weren’t available for the 2025 season, with recent moves highlighting attempts to move forward in the quarterback position.
Watson is on the roster for the 2025 season and the team will need to decide how to break up with him and how it will deal with the financial consequences. Watson will be released after June 1st after the 2025 season. This is a salary cap mechanism that allows teams to cut players and split the remaining dead cap fees into two seasons, leaving the Browns with a $135 million dead cap charge that can be split into the 2026 and 2027 seasons. For reference, the Denver Broncos scored a dead cap hit of $85 million in NFL records in March 2024 to release quarterback Russell Wilson. If the Browns break up with Watson after the 2026 season, the dead money would fall to $53 million. – oyefushi
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Chedur Sanders was raised after being drafted by the Browns
Chedur Sanders celebrates with family and friends after being selected for the Browns’ 144th pick.
How important is it to understand the QB situation in the future for Stefanski and Berry?
That’s the most important thing. When they arrived in 2020, the duo inherited quarterback Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, and nurtured him to a quality starter who helped the franchise beat the drought of the 17-year playoff victory. However, his relationship with the organization deteriorated and he began to trade with Watson. Mayfield traded with the Carolina Panthers a few months later.
Things you need to know from the 2025 NFL Draft
• See all 257 picks | Analytics by pick
• Kipper’s performance | Determine overreaction
•Kipper’s 1st day winner | 2nd day winner
•Browns from Sanders |Jugger from Hunter
•Round 1 Spin | Big Questions | Trades
Eight different quarterbacks have since started with the Browns, including four during the 2024 season. Berry and Stephanski were given a final offseason extension as they led Cleveland to the playoffs twice in four years, and despite last season’s 3-14 finish, Haslam preached them with confidence. He also said he would be responsible for the Watson deal and would not put pressure on his decision-making tandem to force a quarterback pick. But now there are two young quarterbacks who the franchise may find an answer in that position. Haslam asked for patience, but said he hopes the team will compete in 2025.
What do the Browns get with Sanders on the field?
Sanders is physically and mentally tough. He can take big hits to play and boost his game in important situations. He grabbed the ball too long and tried to do too much in 2024, but he has shown the ability to pull off defenses with short passes over short passes in his career. Sanders opens the receiver and keeps safety in his eyes and allows him to go through his progression given time and space. He puts his eyes down as he moves around his pocket and makes a platform throw. His arms are strong enough with every throw, and when he puts out the ball on time and expects, he can cross the tight window. He can also scramble for the first down. Stefanski coached accurate quarterbacks like Case Keenum and Kirk Cousins in the past. Gabriel and Sanders are both fit the mold and can compete. – Mune
