NFL World Reacts to Shedeur Sanders Getting Drafted at Last

Sanders is now a Cleveland Brown.

Sanders, a projected first-round pick, fell all the way to the Browns in the fifth round / Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders plummeted through the NFL draft over the last few days in one of the steepest dives from consensus projection the football world has ever seen. But everything finally came to a head during Saturday's fifth round. The Cleveland Browns selected Sanders with the 144th pick in the draft; the son of Deion will now join a QB room featuring Kenny Pickett, third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, and Joe Flacco with Deshaun Watson out for the year.

Sanders's fall was incredibly publicized as draft pundits and fans alike were left baffled by every team's decision to pass on the Colorado Buffaloes star. It was the biggest talking point of the entire event entering the weekend. And when he was drafted at last, everybody had something to say.

Browns need to go all the way: It's time to add Kirk Cousins to the quarterback room

— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) April 26, 2025

Browns with an all time funny draft. But I’m very ok with dart throws at QB for where they are as a franchise.

If Gabriel beats out Shedeur though…

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 26, 2025

What a bonkers draft for the Browns https://t.co/1Oc8soa8Bg

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 26, 2025

Shedeur Sanders is the best quarterback on Cleveland’s roster if he shows up humble and ready to work. I hope he got the message. Couldn’t ask for a better landing spot.

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) April 26, 2025

Here's hoping Shedeur can turn this into a long-term positive for himself. https://t.co/d2zAtk8Xrd

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 26, 2025

Browns drafting Shedeur Sanders makes sense but to do it after drafting Dillon Gabriel… that is pretty confusing. What’s the point of taking Gabriel?

— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) April 26, 2025

What’s in a number? Sanders the 144th pick.

The only other QB selected 144th overall in the Common Draft Era is Sam Howell (in 2022), who was just traded.

H/t ESPN Research

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 26, 2025

Thank God this saga is finally over.

— Diante Lee (@DianteLeeFB) April 26, 2025

I understand it from Cleveland standpoint in a weird way! Let Gabriel and Sheduer battle to see who will be the future. I also didn’t agree with the order they were taken but neither here nor there anymore. It’s what we say about you when it’s over that matters anyway

— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) April 26, 2025

Thoughts on Shedeur Sanders to the Browns. pic.twitter.com/LIK7mt2Rrf

— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) April 26, 2025

Mel Kiper Jr’s & Stephen A. Smith’s long national nightmare is over. QB Shedeur Sanders is No. 144 overall NFL Draft pick to Cleveland Browns in Round 5

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) April 26, 2025

IMMEDIATE REACTION: The Cleveland Browns have drafted Shedeur Sanders. pic.twitter.com/j22JN0F6PY

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 26, 2025

Browns get a free flier on Sanders, got another young QB in Gabriel and still have 2 first round picks next year

I like the approach for a team clearly in need of a long term answer at the most important position

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) April 26, 2025

Literally browns gm pic.twitter.com/B18c1f3iTc

— Steven Trifunoski 🔱 (@TrifGaming) April 26, 2025

so what was the point of drafting dillon gabriel

— CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) April 26, 2025

Shedeur checking the tweets to make sure it's real pic.twitter.com/jAmeRhY7C6

— Fliff (@fliff) April 26, 2025

They have a great track record with problem QBs. pic.twitter.com/bBDNXHRBmy

— jion12345 (@jion_12345) April 26, 2025

Sanders has officially followed in his father's footsteps and is an NFL player. Whether he can reach the same heights remains to be seen.

---

More NFL Draft on Sports Illustrated

feed