Sports

The Cleveland Browns Draft Shedeur Sanders After the Colorado Quarterback Slides to Fifth Round

The fall of Deion Sanders' son was the biggest story of Draft Day. Still, the 22-year-old was one of college football's most exciting players and could have top-tier potential. 

by Dennis Manoloff | Apr. 28, 2025 | 12:00 AM

AP Photo

AP Photo

The Cleveland Browns drafted Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders on the final day of the NFL Draft. CM contributor and radio host Dennis Manoloff breaks down his three takeaways from the surprising pick.

A Bargain Pick, A Wild Story 
The selection of Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft is a home run, says Manoloff. Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders and one of the most publicized players in recent draft history, fell to the Browns in a value pick. Regardless of the timing, "I love, love, love, love, love the pick," says Manoloff.

Suggested: Watch our video recap on InstagramFacebookX and TikTok.

Shedeur Sanders drafted by NFL Cleveland Browns, AP Photo

Shedeur Sanders Can Play 
While the hype surrounding Sanders can overshadow his abilities, let’s not forget — Shadour can play. Despite a shaky offensive line and little running game at Colorado, Sanders was one of the most accurate passers in D1. His numbers speak for themselves, making his fifth-round selection a potential steal for the Browns. "It's not like you were stretching and straining to figure out, Oh, how is Deion Sanders' son going to justify any draft pick," says Manoloff. "It's not like you're pulling a bumpkin off the street."

Haslam's Influence? 
The Browns had already drafted Dillon Gabriel, the quarterback out of Oregon, before adding another QB — leading many to believe that Owner Jimmy Haslam may have pushed the front office to make this move. "They're going to say no publicly," says Manoloff. "They'll deny it, but this has Jimmy Haslam's fingerprints all over it."

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Dennis Manoloff

Dennis Manoloff has been in Cleveland sports media for more than 30 years. He was a sportswriter for The Plain Dealer from 1990 to 2019 and now hosts shows on WTAM 1100 and 106.9 FM. His "Three Takeaways" sports column for Cleveland Magazine runs weekly during Browns season and sporadically throughout the year.

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