Shedeur Sanders, a touted quarterback prospect, was unexpectedly drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns, raising eyebrows among sports analysts. Some speculated racial bias as a factor, though others pointed to his performance and pre-draft interviews. ESPN analyst Damien Woody suggested the NFL signaled that Sanders, while talented, wasn’t viewed as a top-tier player. Despite the hype, Sanders acknowledged the need for improvement and expressed determination to validate the Browns’ choice in him. He remains focused on proving his worth and making a significant impact in the NFL.
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Sports analysts spun various conspiracy theories explaining why Shedeur Sanders wasn’t selected during the first two days of the NFL Draft over the weekend, with many attributing it to racial biases, despite Cam Ward being picked No. 1 by the Tennessee Titans.
Ultimately, Sanders was chosen by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. Although he was viewed as one of the top quarterback prospects, he ended up being the sixth quarterback drafted. This was the predominant conversation in the NFL throughout the weekend.
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Shedeur Sanders, quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, watches the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona, on Oct. 19, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
On Monday, ESPN NFL analyst Damien Woody provided a straightforward explanation for Sanders’ drop during an episode of “Get Up.”
“I believe the NFL sent a message, indicating you aren’t that guy. The strong impression I got when Shedeur fell to the fifth round was that the NFL was essentially saying, you’re good, but not ‘that guy,'” said the two-time Super Bowl champion.
“Let me make this clear to everyone who follows the NFL Draft: if you’re the standout player, they will choose you in the first round. The NFL and teams are about winning. If you can contribute to winning, you will be selected.”
“The NFL felt that while Shedeur Sanders was a solid prospect, he didn’t possess the ‘it factor’ that some young people refer to. Additionally, the fame and attention surrounding Shedeur played a role. Ultimately, when you consider that they didn’t see him as that standout player and weighed in his celebrity status, you can understand why he ended up in the fifth round.”
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, #2, prepares to throw in the second half against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, on Aug. 29, 2024. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
SHEDEUR SANDERS BEGINS HIS CAREER WITH BROWNS IN A CROWDED QUARTERBACK ROOM
Various reports indicated that Sanders’ less-than-stellar interviews leading up to the draft contributed to his drop. Notably, he opted not to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine, choosing instead to hold a personal workout weeks before the draft.
During his initial media session, Sanders spoke about his draft experience.
“Nothing really impacted me these last few days,” Sanders commented. “I feel favored and blessed. Beyond that, there isn’t much that has changed. My passion for the game remains, and when I step on the field, I don’t hear much negativity. I know there are areas in my game that I need to refine to reach my best, and I take the offseason one step at a time to improve those.”
Deion Sanders coaches his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, #2, during the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on Oct. 7, 2023. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
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“The bottom line is, I want to prove to coach (Kevin) Stefanski and (general manager Andrew) Berry that they made the right choice. That’s all that matters. They chose me because I’m a valuable decision and an excellent pick for them, ready to accomplish what’s expected of me.”
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