Credited from: NPR
Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was finally selected by the Cleveland Browns during the fifth round of the NFL Draft, with the team taking him as the 144th overall pick. This selection came after a surprising slide where he was passed over in the first, second, and third rounds despite being projected as a top quarterback pick, causing widespread surprise and speculation among analysts and fans alike, according to Reuters and HuffPost.
President Donald Trump publicly expressed his frustration over NFL teams passing on Sanders, labeling the owners as "stupid" and highlighting his pedigree and potential. Trump emphasized, "Shedeur... has PHENOMENAL GENES” and noted that he should be picked by a team that wants to win. This commentary came as Sanders anxiously awaited his chance, culminating in his eventual selection by the Browns, according to The Hill and Reuters.
Despite his successful college career at Colorado, where he threw for over 4,100 yards and earned acclaim, Sanders faced skepticism leading up to the draft. Various reports pointed to concerns about his arm strength and adaptability outside his father's coaching, which possibly impacted his draft stock. Expert analysts described his undrafted status as "inexplicable,” especially given teams chose other quarterbacks perceived as lesser prospects, as reported by Forbes and HuffPost.
When the call from the Browns finally came, Sanders expressed his gratitude and excitement, saying, "Thank you, GOD," while celebrating with family members. His father’s influence and the whirlwind leading up to the draft undeniably played significant roles in the narrative surrounding his selection, as detailed by NPR and Reuters.
With the Browns needing fresh talent at quarterback—particularly with Deshaun Watson's injury—the team’s decision to finally draft Sanders might signal a new chapter. Despite the challenges he faced, he remains optimistic and motivated for his NFL career, stating, “I knew the whole time God had me, so I wasn’t really panicking,” which highlights his resilience throughout the intense draft process, according to Forbes and HuffPost.