After the Cleveland Browns selected Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, most didn’t expect the rookie to contend for the starting job. But after a strong minicamp showing, some believe he could push for the role with a solid training camp. One analyst, however, isn’t buying the hype and believes Sanders still has a lot to prove.
Browns Analyst Pumps the Brakes on Shedeur Sanders Hype After Strong Minicamp
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders was projected by many to be a first-round selection and a potential franchise quarterback. However, he slid all the way to Day 3, where the Browns selected him with the No. 144 overall pick.
Sanders now enters the league fighting to make an NFL roster rather than being viewed as a team’s long-term solution under center, but his strong performance during minicamp turned heads.
He was reportedly very accurate during Cleveland’s mandatory minicamp, especially in 7-on-7 periods. In total, Sanders completed 77.4% of his passes across the team’s five open practices.
That accuracy prompted one fan to write into ESPN Cleveland’s radio show and ask how the Browns could overlook Sanders if he keeps playing like that into training camp. Host Tony Grossi responded by urging people to pump the brakes, arguing that Sanders’ minicamp stats are inflated and need to be taken in context.
If Shedeur Sanders keeps playing well in training camp, how can the Browns overlook him? @TonyGrossi shares his thoughts… pic.twitter.com/2aCRBubEbw
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 21, 2025
“You have to put that into context,” Grossi said. “Training camp is a different level of intensity where they actually defend, and a lot of those numbers [from minicamp] were built on air passes practically in 7 on 7s.”
Grossi isn’t wrong. Minicamp practices often feature walk-through style drills with players moving at half speed. Sanders completing most of his passes is a positive sign, but it’s not as impressive as some are making it out to be.
He acknowledged that Sanders looked solid, but cautioned Browns fans not to blow the performance out of proportion. “He did alright, but don’t get carried away with those numbers,” Grossi said.
Sanders is arguably the most anticipated fifth-round pick in NFL history. The former Colorado star was a fan favorite in college and is the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
Because of that attention, many are eager to see him named the Browns’ starter, but that still seems unlikely. Sanders not only fell to the fifth round, but Cleveland also drafted Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel before him.
Both rookies will split reps with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett during training camp, meaning Sanders must perform at an elite level to earn the starting job.
Grossi is not downplaying his minicamp success. He just wants fans to manage their expectations heading into the heart of the preseason.
