Shedeur Sanders’ name remains at the center of media discussion following his dramatic fall in the 2025 NFL Draft — once projected as a first-round pick, the Colorado quarterback wasn’t selected until the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.
Amid a wave of criticism and speculation, former NFL star Antonio Brown added fuel to the fire, calling out Sanders and drawing an unflattering comparison to former MVP quarterback Cam Newton.
Brown Takes Shot At Sanders Through His Social Media Handle
Sanders’ fall in the 2025 NFL Draft became the defining storyline of the entire offseason. Never before had a prospect with so much hype, once projected as the potential No. 1 overall pick, slipped so far during the draft.
In situations like this, hot takes and commentary become inevitable — even when they’re unfair or based on comparisons that don’t truly reflect what the player brings to the table.
On his X (formerly Twitter) account, Brown compared Sanders to Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Brown claimed that Sanders doesn’t have Newton’s level of talent and pointed out that even for a player as gifted as the former Panthers quarterback, the NFL proved to be a brutal league.
shedure Sanders
your not Cam Newton
not even close
bro a
Generational talent
and he still get
smacked at
parks #CTESPN
— AB (@AB84) May 4, 2025
Newton was, in fact, considered a generational prospect thanks to his rare physical build and a skill set that combined power, mobility, and passing talent. That unique profile led the Carolina Panthers to select him with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft — and he later went on to win NFL MVP honors in 2015.
On the other hand, Sanders doesn’t possess a remotely similar profile. His biggest red flag on tape was his lack of athleticism and limited upside, traits that contrast sharply with what teams typically seek in today’s dual-threat quarterbacks. He needs clean pockets and ideal situations to succeed.
That said, when those conditions are met, Sanders stands out for his high-level processing and strong understanding of defensive schemes.
Therefore, Brown’s comparison doesn’t hold up when you consider the players’ profiles — they’re fundamentally different quarterbacks. However, it does raise a valid concern that likely factored into how NFL teams evaluated Sanders.
If someone as physically gifted as Newton couldn’t sustain long-term success in the league, what gives teams confidence that Sanders, with significantly less upside, will be able to?
What truly derailed Newton’s career were injuries — particularly the shoulder injury he sustained against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018. After that moment, he was never the same quarterback.
Given this context, Brown’s concerns seem misplaced in this specific case. Comparing Sanders to Newton ignores the fact that Newton’s decline wasn’t about ability or preparation, but rather a physical setback that limited his once-elite skill set.
The truth is, Sanders’ success will depend entirely on what he does with the opportunities ahead. Dak Prescott and Brock Purdy both found success in the NFL despite being late-round picks without elite athletic traits — and if they could make it, so can Sanders.