Easily the biggest storyline of Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft was Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders not being selected.
Sanders had a decked-out draft room for himself and seemingly a major party planned, but the night brought nothing but disappointment. This will only add fuel for the Buffaloes signal caller to prove the 31 teams that didn’t select him wrong.
It’s basically certain that he will go off the board on Day 2, potentially incredibly early in the second round.
Shedeur Sanders Predicted To Land With Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns already have one of the NFL’s most crowded QB rooms with Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett. However, none of them are capable of being the future face of the franchise for Cleveland.
Sanders, on the other hand, at least has the potential to develop into a franchise cornerstone, which is why Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department predicts the Browns to select him at No. 33.
“The Cleveland Browns trading out of the No. 2 spot and then passing on Shedeur Sanders three picks later despite needing a quarterback was an interesting start to the weekend,” the scouting department wrote.
This is the Browns’ second opportunity to land Sanders, meaning if they pass yet again, he must’ve seriously crumbled throughout the draft process. The most appealing parts of taking the Colorado QB are his ability to draw a ton of money and attention, as well as his premier accuracy. Alternatively, he is not the most mobile playmaker and also struggles with being decisive in and out of structure.
PFSN’s Ian Cummings also predicts Sanders’ freefall to end at Cleveland’s pick in his Day 2 mock draft.
“Shedeur Sanders didn’t go in Round 1 as expected, but he shouldn’t fall too far in Round 2. The 23-year-old is the most accurate of the QB prospects remaining, and he’d be properly insulated by Kevin Stefanski’s scheme. At this point, it’s all about value, and his is rising,” Cummings wrote.
The Browns swapping first-round picks with the Jacksonville Jaguars showed they are seemingly willing to wait until the 2026 NFL Draft to land their franchise cornerstone QB. However, the value Sanders has the potential to provide as a Day 2 selection is undeniable.
To strengthen Cleveland fans confidence that Sanders will pan out in the league, Cummings provided a promising pro comparison.
“My pro comparison for Sanders is Brock Purdy — the 2022 seventh-rounder who grew into a Pro Bowl passer with the San Francisco 49ers. Sanders is undersized and unequipped with elite talent, but with his accuracy and gamer mentality, he can win in a system that offers support,” Cummings concluded.
Sanders should have all the motivation needed to succeed, especially after one of his seeming dream destinations, the New York Giants, traded back into Round 1 for Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart.
