Shedeur Sanders suffered one of the most shocking draft day slides in recent memory. The son of Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders entered the pre-draft process projected as a surefire first-round pick and potential top-five overall selection before sliding to Day 3, where the Cleveland Browns grabbed him in the fifth round.
While fifth-round quarterbacks typically start their NFL careers as backups or practice-squad players, Sanders has an opportunity to compete for the starting job. The former Colorado Buffaloes star is battling Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel to open the season as Cleveland’s starter.
A Browns insider recently revealed that he stood out during mandatory minicamp.
Browns Insider Claims Shedeur Sanders Stood Out Amid Ongoing QB1 Battle
Sanders is, by far, already the most polarizing rookie in the NFL — as well as the most polarizing of the Browns’ four options to start in Week 1.
He will look to prove his naysayers wrong by earning the starting job in Cleveland with a strong training camp and preseason.
Browns insider Daniel Oyefusi recently revealed that, of the group battling for the starting gig, Sanders stood out during mandatory minicamp. The Browns insider appeared on NFL Live, where he stated:
“My opinion, Shedeur Sanders really did stand out. Again, all of those skills that we talked about pre-draft — the poise, the accuracy from the pocket — we saw that. But the caveat was it was with the second-team offense and against the second-team defense. So, that’s why I’m really interested to see, can he crack that rotation and get some reps with Myles Garrett pass rushing against him in some practices?”
🔥 Shedeur Browns QB1. Adam & Daniel Discuss #12
“My opinion #12 really did stand out. All of those skills we talked about pre-draft the poise, accuracy from the pocket, we saw that”
📽️ @ESPNNFL @DanielOyefusi pic.twitter.com/VjdziveAqQ
— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) July 16, 2025
Sanders concluded his collegiate career with a strong season. The former Buffaloes star threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 74.0% of his passes and rushing for four touchdowns. He earned All-American honors and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year recognition while winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
While the Browns currently have four quarterbacks on the roster, it is unlikely that each player will make it through training camp cuts. Despite Sanders standing out during mandatory minicamp, he will have to prove himself against live defenses. Cleveland begins the preseason on Aug. 8 against the Carolina Panthers.
