Shedeur Sanders went from top-overall-pick candidate to Day 3 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns finally ended his unprecedented draft-day slide by taking him with the No. 144 pick in the fifth round.
Before the Browns picked Sanders, the Las Vegas Raiders surprisingly passed on the young QB multiple times. The Raiders traded for and extended Geno Smith this offseason, but Las Vegas was still considered a possible landing spot for Sanders given the Colorado QB’s relationship with minority owner Tom Brady and their need for a signal-caller of the future.
Skip Bayless Says Tom Brady Told Raiders Not To Take Shedeur Sanders
For most of the draft process, it felt like a near-guarantee that Sanders would go early in the first round, with the top three teams — the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants — in desperate need of a quarterback. However, once his stock dipped, the Raiders became a possibility to draft Sanders, particularly on Day 2 or 3 of the NFL Draft.
It’s worth noting that Brady seemingly has a strong relationship with Sanders. When he was a four-star quarterback at Trinity Christian School, a video of the two working out together went viral.
In 2022, when Shedeur was at Jackson State, Brady signed him to an NIL deal with his BRADY Brand — the first athlete Brady ever signed to an NIL or endorsement deal. After Colorado’s upset win over TCU in 2023, Brady texted the young QB, “Don’t be satisfied.”
Brady emerged as a mentor for Sanders and was reportedly involved in the NFL Draft process, making the Raiders’ connection legitimate. However, after Las Vegas passed on the Colorado star multiple times, NFL analyst Skip Bayless suggested that Brady must have said something.
“It is now pretty clear Tom Brady – who mentored Shedeur – told the Raiders NOT to take Shedeur. Duly noted,” he argued.
It is now pretty clear Tom Brady – who mentored Shedeur – told the Raiders NOT to take Shedeur. Duly noted.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 26, 2025
Questioning Brady and Las Vegas over passing on Sanders, Bayless added:
“HOW COULD TOM BRADY’S TEAM PASS ON SHEDEUR AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN??? BRADY REPORTEDLY COACHED SHEDEUR. BRADY REPORTEDLY WAS INVOLVED IN RAIDERS DRAFT DECISION-MAKING.”
HOW COULD TOM BRADY'S TEAM PASS ON SHEDEUR AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN??? BRADY REPORTEDLY COACHED SHEDEUR. BRADY REPORTEDLY WAS INVOLVED IN RAIDERS DRAFT DECISION-MAKING.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 26, 2025
Five quarterbacks were drafted ahead of Sanders: Cam Ward (Titans), Jaxson Dart (Giants), Tyler Shough (Saints), Jalen Milroe (Seahawks), and Dillon Gabriel (Browns). Cleveland picked Gabriel at No. 94 overall in the third round before circling back and adding Sanders at No. 144 in Round 5.
This was arguably the most shocking storyline in NFL Draft history, and Bayless wasn’t the only one confused, or in some cases, downright angry. Even President Donald Trump voiced his displeasure about Sanders’ drop.
Now, all eyes will be on Sanders to see whether he can win the Browns’ starting job and prove his doubters wrong.
Sanders’ NFL Draft Scouting Report
Sanders is an accurate and tough quarterback with a well-built frame and plenty of throws, hitting his targets in stride from each deep third of the field. He has a good enough arm to execute throws to targets in tight windows, and there’s a natural sense of timing that tells him where to place the ball right where only his receivers can get it.
That said, there’s some mental development that needs to take place for Sanders. He’s shown that he’s capable of making full-field reads, but he tends to play Superman when he doesn’t have the raw physical talent to make that work.
His arm, though acceptable, isn’t particularly special. He’s not a statue in the pocket, but his athleticism is average. These issues can see him try too hard to extend plays that he simply can’t make, resulting in sacks or poor throws.
Compared to the quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, I would argue Sanders would come in seventh as a prospect, ranking behind each of the six quarterbacks selected in the first round.
Sanders arguably has the highest floor of any quarterback in the class, and he has the tools to become a solid starter in the NFL. In the right system, he could lead a team to a playoff run.
Because of average physical tools, the ceiling likely does not go much further than that. There are also concerns about his attitude, as some teams view him as arrogant and didn’t appreciate how Sanders carried himself throughout the pre-draft process.
However, a respectable starting quarterback is a valuable asset in today’s game, and he is a low-risk, high-reward steal for the Browns in the fifth round.
Perhaps Trump should focus on continuing to ruining the country and not worry about the NFL Draft. As far as Sanders goes he now has an opportunity to show all the NFL what he is made of.
How ignorant can an article be? Count the ways. Media hype is who graded Sanders publicly. Just because you played football or get paid to talk about it doesn’t mean you know anything about it. Re-enter college football?Hmmm really? Once you declare for the draft, you’re a professional, unless, one, you don’t get drafted and two a board of executive decide you’re eligible to return. No guarantees.