Browns GM Andrew Berry reveals how Deion Sanders' presence impacted Shedeur's NFL Draft slide

Throughout the pre-draft process, one of the big questions around Shedeur Sanders was whether his father, Deion, would have a presence. That discussion got even louder as Shedeur fell down the 2025 NFL Draft board, and Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Barry addressed it after selecting him.

The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 overall pick in the fifth round, trading up with the Philadelphia Eagles to do so. It was quite a drop throughout the weekend considering he came in as ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s top quarterback prospect on the board.

Ultimately, Sanders became the fifth quarterback taken in the draft. As for whether Deion’s presence played a role in the slide, Berry noted the Browns’ relationship with Coach Prime and the positive experiences with him.

“I felt like our personal relationship and interactions with Deion, that’s really been all positive from our perspective,” Berry told reporters. “And I mean that organizationally, not just me and Kevin. But really, all of us who have interacted with Deion and the people out in Colorado. We don’t typically penalize prospects for their parents, so to speak. So I can’t say if that was a factor or not for other teams. But that was not a significant factor for us.”

Sanders is set to sign a four-year contract with the Browns, according to Spotrac. The total value of the deal is $4.6 million – a $40 million decrease from a Top-2 pick in the draft – with an annual salary of $1.15 million.

Sanders put together a standout senior season at Colorado in 2024, leading the nation with a 74% completion percentage. He also totaled 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns while leading the Buffaloes to a bowl game as part of an impressive turnaround under his father.

However, Shedeur Sanders continued to fall down the board. ESPN’s Pete Thamel said there were a few factors in play regarding the drop, but noted the amount of quarterback talent in next year’s draft class. That group includes Drew Allar from Penn State, as well as Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, among others. While Arch Manning will be draft-eligible, Thamel pointed out he’s likely to be at Texas for four years and instead declare in 2027.