The Cleveland Browns selected Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders experienced a historic freefall in the draft back in late April, dropping out of the first round all the way down to the fifth round. The rookie signal-caller has signed his contract, however, and he is now preparing for the 2025 season.
Sanders has a lot of work ahead of him as he battles for a roster spot. The Colorado product has to overcome multiple quarterbacks on the Browns’ roster, including Super Bowl champions Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
His potential is high, but he doesn’t have an easy road to securing a spot. Luckily, Sanders already has the backing of one former starting quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders Meets Veteran QB Jameis Winston
Sanders met Jameis Winston during his rookie camp with the Cleveland Browns. Sanders expressed real excitement over meeting the 10-year veteran quarterback. And he received significant praise from the current New York Giants backup, as seen in a clip of him on Sanders’ Twitch live stream.
“I don’t play the game, but I’m with the man. The man, the myth, the legendary Shedeur Sanders,” Winston said.
JAMEIS WINSTON AND SHEDUER SANDERS LINKED UP 😭😭😭
pic.twitter.com/bNFcE1ifeO— MLFootball (@_MLFootball)
There was a time when Sanders and Winston could have landed on the same team. The Giants held the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite signing Winston, the team lacked a long-term signal-caller. As a result, Sanders was seen as a legitimate possibility.
Sanders commented on the possibility before the draft. He had praise for the veteran quarterback and did not shy away from a potential competition. At the end of the day, he wanted a more relaxed atmosphere in the locker room.
“Jameis is cool,” Sanders said on the “2Legendary With Shedeur” podcast back in early April. “That’s what I’m saying. Whatever QB room, whatever. I just hope it ain’t everybody in there just too serious, serious. You know what I mean? Just have a good vibe. You know, friendly competition, it is what it is.”
New York Giants Chose Abdul Carter Over Sanders
The New York Giants did not select Sanders with the third overall pick. Instead, New York picked Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter in the first round. They did trade back into the first round for a quarterback, choosing Ole Miss star Jaxson Dart with the 25th pick.
Sanders waited until Day 3 to hear his name called. Five quarterbacks were selected before the Colorado star went in the fifth round. Cam Ward was the first overall pick to the Tennessee Titans. Dart went after that. Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel were the other names taken before Sanders.
Gabriel’s selection made the Browns taking Sanders a lot more interesting. Cleveland selected Gabriel near the end of the third round. This gives the team two young quarterbacks to develop. But it also creates the opportunity for intense competition.
Deshaun Watson is likely to miss the 2025 NFL season due to a knee injury. Kenny Pickett arrived in town through a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Joe Flacco was signed in free agency. Those two players should battle for the starting job, leaving Sanders and Gabriel to fight for the third spot.
Sanders has a ton of potential at the NFL level. His draft slide was certainly something worth talking about. Now, he has to put the work in so he can make a statement to all the teams that passed over him.
