Day Three of NFL Draft: Shedeur Sanders Joins Cleveland Browns, Ohio State Alums Shine
Loose Cannon: NFL Draft 2023 Rewritten
In the pulsating heart of NFL draft action last Saturday, the spotlight shone on Shedeur Sanders, son of the legendary Deion Sanders, as he faced a baffling slipdown in the draft rankings.
After a nail-biting wait spanning more than two days, the Cleveland Browns finally intervened, trading up to nab Sanders with the 6th pick in the 5th round and the 144th overall pick. To secure Sanders, the Browns traded their picks 166 and 192 with Seattle.
Seemingly set with Deshaun Watson in danger of missing the entire 2025 season after re-rupturing an Achilles tendon, the Browns' quarterback room now includes veterans Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and the drafted Sanders.
Meanwhile, in a fascinating twist, the New York Giants received a running back, not a quarterback, during the 4th round. Cam Skattebo, formerly of Arizona State, was their pick with the 105th overall selection.
Skattebo, who transferred to Arizona State after two years at FCS school Sacramento State, had a prolific last season, racking up 1,711 rushing yards, 605 receiving yards, and scoring 25 total touchdowns in 13 games[1][4]. In the CFP quarterfinals, Skattebo displayed his versatility, throwing a 42-yard touchdown and running for a touchdown and a two-point conversion as Arizona State erased a 16-point deficit in the final 6 1/2 minutes, forcing overtime.
Interestingly, initial reports suggested that the Giants picked a quarterback in the 4th round[3]. However, those claims were erroneous as the Giants had already selected Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss in the 1st round, 25th overall[2][5].
The 2023 NFL Draft saw a flurry of activities beyond the quarterbacks' drafting. Seven players from national champion Ohio State were drafted, bringing their total to 14, one short of Georgia's single-draft record of 15 in 2022. Defensive linemen dominated the focus in the 4th round, with half of the 10 selected listed as edge rushers.
Six running backs were taken in the 4th round, including Skattebo. The 6th quarterbacks were selected in the 6th round, with Syracuse's Kyle McCord going to Philadelphia with the 181st pick, Ohio State's Will Howard being selected by Pittsburgh four picks later, and several other quarterbacks joining the NFL roster.
Kobee Minor, a cornerback from Memphis, was the last pick, earning the "Mr. Irrelevant" tag as the 257th and final player selected. Despite the mistake involving Skattebo and the quarterback selection, the 2023 NFL Draft turned out to be an eventful spectacle for teams and fans alike.
Enrichment Data (Selective Use):
Skattebo's impressive college career reflects his versatility as a dual-threat running back. In his last college season at Arizona State, he rushed for 1,711 yards with an average of 5.8 yards per carry, caught passes totaling 605 yards with an average of 13.4 yards per catch, and scored 25 total touchdowns in 13 games[1][4].
It's crucial to clarify that the Giants picked Jaxson Dart as their quarterback in the 1st round, 25th overall, not in the 4th round. Dart is described as an accurate, anticipative quarterback with mobility and a strong arm, and the Giants intend for him to learn behind veteran quarterbacks initially[2][5].
Sources:
[1] https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4918003/cam-skattebo[2] https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/04/28/giants-trade-up-to-select-qb-jaxson-dart-in-the-first-round/[3] https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2023/04/28/nfl-draft-seton-hall-pj-walker-guards-replay-lowell-fisher-tick-tock/[4] https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/cam-skattebo-1.html[5] https://www.nj.com/giants/2023/04/boardman_giants_mailbag_picks_jaxson_dart_in_the_first_round_felt_like_an_upgrade_jason_garrett_fits_infrequent_role_of_more-open-minds.html
- The Cleveland Browns traded their picks 166 and 192 with Seattle to secure Shedeur Sanders, a player whose draft rankings had experienced a slipdown during the NFL Draft 2023.
- Despite initial reports suggesting otherwise, the New York Giants had already selected Jaxson Dart, a quarterback, in the 1st round, 25th overall, not in the 4th round.
- In a surprising turn of events, the Giants received a running back, Cam Skattebo, during the 4th round, with the 105th overall selection.
- Skattebo, a dual-threat running back, displayed his versatility during his last college season at Arizona State, rushing for 1,711 yards and scoring 25 total touchdowns.
- Interestingly, seven Ohio State players were drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, bringing their total to 14, one short of Georgia's single-draft record of 15 in 2022.
- Six running backs were taken in the 4th round, including Skattebo, while the 6th quarterbacks were selected in the 6th round.
- The 2023 NFL Draft saw Defensive linemen dominating the focus in the 4th round, with half of the 10 selected listed as edge rushers.
- Syracuse's Kyle McCord was picked by Philadelphia with the 181st pick in the 6th round, joining the list of NFL quarterbacks for the 2025 season, which may see Deshaun Watson sidelined due to his Achilles tendon injury.
