Shedeur Sanders' NFL Draft Plunge: What Eddie George Made of It and the Cleveland Browns' QB Saga
Historic Plummet of Shedeur Sanders in NFL Draft Not a Surprising Turn of Events, Says Former Pro Athlete
In a recent chat on OutKick's "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich," the one-time NFL star Eddie George reveals his thoughts on the unexpected slide of Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Shedeur Sanders Slide: Unsurprising or a Missed Opportunity?
While fans, pundits, and analysts were in disbelief when Shedeur Sanders wasn't selected in the first round, former Superstar Eddie George isn't among those taken aback. According to George, "I didn't think it was a shock. I thought the NFL spoke and said, 'Hey, we don't have a first-round grade on this kid,' and that's okay."
So why didn't defenses consider Sanders worthy of a top pick? George explains that through due diligence, vetting, combine results, and personal interviews, concerns about Sanders' readiness to start as an NFL quarterback came up repeatedly.
The Cleveland Browns Complicate the QB Picture
After the Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel's third-round selection by the Cleveland Browns, the team took another QB in the fifth round, snapping up Shedeur Sanders with the 144th overall pick.
Five quarterbacks currently fill Cleveland's roster. Deshaun Watson's re-ruptured Achilles tendon casts doubt on his availability for the upcoming season. The Browns acquired Kenny Pickett in a trade with the Eagles and signed Joe Flacco to a one-year contract. With the addition of Gabriel and Sanders, it remains to be seen who will grab the Week 1 spot.
Eddie George's Predictions for Sanders
Despite the challenges ahead, George believes that Sanders will turn this slip into a "finest hour." Sanders now has the chance to compete for the starting job and show the world that the teams that missed out on him made a grave error.
The former NFL star recalls his time coaching against Sanders and reinforces his conviction about his abilities, stating, "I know a lot of people figure that he is arrogant and not serious, but I had the opportunity to coach against that kid and he can spin it. He can put the ball places that where he knows to go with the football. He has a very high football IQ, and he has to build on that at the next level."
The Road Ahead for Sanders and the Browns
Eddie George's assessment sets the stage for an intriguing offseason as Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns navigate their way toward the upcoming season. Will Sanders prove the doubters wrong, or will another quarterback on the Browns' roster emerge as the starter?
Robust debates and predictions are shaping up, and the outcome is anyone's guess. As the dust settles and teams set their rosters, we eagerly await to see if Sanders can rise to the challenge and lead the Cleveland Browns to success.
[1] ESPN.com (2025). Browns' Deshaun Watson injury updates: Latest on QB's status for 2025 NFL season. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38553186/cleveland-browns-deshaun-watson-injury-updates-latest-qb-status-2025-nfl-season[2] CBS Sports.com (2025). Tweets from Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter), and Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) A sampling of Twitter reactions to the Browns picking Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. [online] Available at: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cleveland-browns-drafted-shedeur-sanders-after-questions-arise-about-fitz-maggin-and-kyler-thompson-why-do-some-think-they-missed-out-on-a-QB-with-potential/
With Shedeur Sanders joining the Cleveland Browns, the QB saga continues, and the 2025 NFL season promises to bring thrilling developments and surprises. Keep your eye on the ball and stay tuned to our website Digital for the latest sports coverage and exclusive insights on Sanders, the Browns, and all the leagues that matter to you!
- In the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders was not predicted as a first-round pick due to concerns about his readiness as an NFL quarterback, expressed through due diligence, vetting, combine results, and personal interviews.
- Despite being drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns, Shedeur Sanders potentially has the opportunity to challenge for the starting quarterback position, showcasing his skills and proving that some teams may have missed out on a quarterback with potential.
- The Cleveland Browns' QB roster now consists of five quarterbacks: Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders, leaving uncertainty about who will start in Week 1, with Watson's re-ruptured Achilles tendon casting doubt on his availability.
- With the addition of Sanders, intriguing debates and predictions surround the upcoming season, as fans and analysts anticipate whether he can rise to the challenge and lead the Cleveland Browns to success.
