Jacob Camenker, USA TODAYSun, November 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM UTC·3 min readThe 2025 NFL Draft class was not considered to be strong at the quarterback position, but four signal-callers were routinely discussed as potential first-round picks.
Two of them, Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart, were ultimately chosen on the draft's first day. Another – Tyler Shough, who gained momentum late during the NFL Draft process – was selected early on the draft's second day.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere, there was Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado product enjoyed a standout college career, helping turn his father's team into a potential College Football Playoff contender and completing 74% of his passes for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his final season with the Buffaloes.
Even when accounting for Sanders' warts, many draft analysts assumed he would be selected on Day 2 if he wasn't chosen in the first 32 selections.
Instead, Sanders tumbled down the draft board until the Cleveland Browns ended his shocking slide in the fifth round of the seven-round event.
Here's a look back at Sanders' draft experience as he prepares to make his first NFL start for the Browns in Week 12 of the 2025 season against the Las Vegas Raiders.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhen was Shedeur Sanders drafted?
The Browns chose Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 144th overall selection. The Colorado star was the sixth quarterback selected and the second chosen by Cleveland behind third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Sanders' selection ended a trying draft day process that saw him go unselected over the first two days and fall victim to a prank call claiming the New Orleans Saints would select him in the second round.
It was later revealed that Jax Ulbrich, son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, was responsible for the prank call. All parties apologized to Sanders for what the younger Ulbrich referred to as a "terrible mistake."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhy did Shedeur Sanders fall in the 2025 NFL Draft?
There was no one reason for Sanders' fall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, it was due to a myriad of factors.
USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell talked to a variety of NFL executives following the 2025 NFL Draft. All spoke on the condition of anonymity, not wanting to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.
What were their thoughts? Some executives claimed that Sanders' drop "was talent-based," while others contended "other stuff" – including Deion Sanders' involvement with the draft process and the younger Sanders' leadership style – played a part in the slip.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEXCLUSIVE: Why did Shedeur Sanders slide in draft? NFL team execs give blunt views
That aligned with what USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon heard in discussing Sanders with various people around the NFL.
Some, like NFL Media analyst Maurice Jones-Drew, described Sanders as "a really good quarterback but doesn’t have traits that jump off the chart." Others expressed concerns about Sanders' pre-draft interviews, his decision not to participate in the East-West Shrine Game and NFL Combine drills and his lack of a traditional agent entering the NFL.
OPINION: There's not a simple answer to why Shedeur Sanders fell in NFL Draft
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement2025 NFL Draft QBs
A total of 13 quarterbacks were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Below is a look at the full list of players selected at the position:
Round 1, Pick 1: Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
Round 1, Pick 25: Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
Round 2, Pick 40: Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
Round 3, Pick 92: Jalen Milroe, Seattle Seahawks
Round 3, Pick 94: Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns
Round 5, Pick 144: Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns
Round 6, Pick 181: Kyle McCord, Philadelphia Eagles
Round 6, Pick 185: Will Howard, Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 6, Pick 189: Riley Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
Round 6, Pick 197: Graham Mertz, Houston Texans
Round 6, Pick 215: Cam Miller, Las Vegas Raiders
Round 7, Pick 227: Kurtis Rourke, San Francisco 49ers
Round 7, Pick 231: Quinn Ewers, Miami Dolphins
The Raiders also spent a sixth-round pick on Tommy Mellott, who played quarterback at Montana State, but moved him to receiver upon drafting him.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When was Shedeur Sanders drafted? Why Browns QB slid in 2025 NFL Draft
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