NFL insider: Cleveland Browns didn't have Shedeur Sanders ranked high, took chance in NFL Draft

Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft slide was one for the history books before the Cleveland Browns selected him with the No. 144 overall pick in the fifth round. But the former Colorado quarterback reportedly wasn’t high on the Browns’ big board in the first place, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Once thought to be a first round pick, perhaps even as high as No. 2 overall by the Browns just a few months ago, Cleveland actually drafted QB Dillon Gabriel in the third round ahead of Sanders. The former Colorado star was the sixth signal caller taken last weekend.

But it just so happened that he was within their target range by the time they circled back in the fifth round. Once the Browns saw Sanders there, they took their shot, per Russini.

“I didn’t ever get any intel that the Cleveland Browns had Shedeur Sanders ranked high on their board,” Russini reported on the Scoop City Podcast. “I think they saw that he was available in the fifth round. They met, they discussed it, and they went for it.”

Despite all the hoopla surrounding Sanders pre- and post-draft, he could be in a good situation in Cleveland. Former Colorado QB and current Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt thinks so.

“It actually might be the best possible fit for him,” Klatt said. “I’m excited for Shedeur because, through this entire process, he got put into a place where it’s kind of chaos now. They drafted Dillon Gabriel. They’ve got Joe Flacco in there who’s 40 years old. Deshaun [Watson] has got the Achilles tear, so I don’t really even factor him in this. You’ve got Kenny Pickett. You’re telling me that Shedeur Sanders can’t go in there and compete and at least win a spot and maybe even start at some point this season with that list of quarterbacks? I believe he can.”

Throughout the years, the Cleveland Browns have had their issues finding a franchise quarterback. Baker Mayfield in 2019 and 2020 was the last quarterback to start every game of the season for the Browns. Before that, it was Tim Couch in 2001. So, with a crowded quarterback room again, there is a desire to figure out who could become that consistent starter and Sanders could be that guy.

He didn’t leave Colorado as the school’s all-time leading passer for nothing. Now, as a fifth-round pick anyway, Sanders could have quite a bit to prove as he approaches mini and training camp.