Shedeur Sanders’ lengthy wait ends when Cleveland Browns take him in fifth spherical of NFL draft

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shedeur Sanders’ wait lastly has ended.

The Cleveland Browns chosen the Colorado quarterback and son of Corridor of Famer Deion Sanders within the fifth spherical with the 144th general decide within the NFL draft on Saturday. That ended a surprising fall for Sanders, essentially the most recognizable participant on this draft class after his attention-getting school profession.

Draft forecasts usually rated Sanders behind solely Miami’s Cam Ward – who went first general to the Tennessee Titans – amongst quarterbacks on this class. 5 quarterbacks have been taken earlier than him as a substitute, with one in every of them going to Cleveland when the Browns picked Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel within the third spherical.

The uncertainty surrounding the Colorado star is the dominant story on this draft. Sanders did not get taken within the first spherical Thursday. Nor was he chosen within the second and third rounds Friday.

Sanders remained optimistic Saturday whereas offering an replace on social media.

“One other day one other alternative to get an opportunity to play the sport I like,” he mentioned in an X put up Saturday morning. “Thanks GOD #LEGENDARY.”

Sanders now’s immediately a part of a crowded Browns quarterback room as Deshaun Watson sits out the upcoming season with a torn Achilles tendon. Sanders and Gabriel be a part of Kenny Pickett and 40-year-old Joe Flacco.

The historical past of the draft contains loads of tales of quarterbacks ready for much longer than anticipated to get drafted. Generally it finally labored out simply wonderful for them.

Dan Marino was the sixth quarterback taken within the well-known 1983 draft class and went twenty seventh general to Miami, the place he would spend his whole Corridor of Fame profession. Aaron Rodgers was presupposed to go among the many first few picks in 2005 however went twenty fourth to Inexperienced Bay, the place he went on to win 4 MVP awards. Extra not too long ago, Will Levis was thought-about a near-certain first-round decide in 2023 however slipped into the second spherical earlier than Tennessee took him at No. 33 general.

Nevertheless it’s arduous to give you a fall as steep as this one.

Sanders was one of the vital recognizable names in school soccer the final couple of years whereas teaming up with 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter – taken second general by Jacksonville – and enjoying for his father.

He completed eighth within the Heisman balloting final season whereas throwing for a school-record 4,134 yards and serving to Colorado go 9-4. The Buffaloes had gone 4-8 in Sanders’ first season there in 2023 after he spent two years enjoying for his dad at Jackson State.

Most forecasts heading into the draft had Sanders going a lot sooner.

That is now the way it’s turned out.

The New York Giants traded as much as get the twenty fifth decide on Thursday however opted for Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart. Three different quarterbacks went Friday. New Orleans chosen Louisville’s Tyler Shough within the second spherical. Within the third spherical, Seattle selected Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Cleveland took Gabriel.

One criticism of Sanders was the truth that he was sacked 94 occasions the final two seasons at Colorado. Issues additionally arose about his arm power. There additionally have been worries about how he would adapt to enjoying for somebody aside from his father.

Earlier Saturday, another acquainted names obtained taken.

Cam Skattebo, the versatile working again who led Arizona State to a shocking Faculty Soccer Playoff look, went within the fourth spherical to the New York Giants with the a hundred and fifth general decide. Tennessee working again Dylan Sampson, the 2024 Southeastern Convention offensive participant of the 12 months, went 126th to Indianapolis.

Three extra gamers from Ohio State have been chosen within the fourth spherical, which means 10 gamers from the reigning nationwide champions have now been drafted. Linebacker Cody Simon went one hundred and fifteenth to Arizona, security Lathan Ransom 122nd to Carolina and edge rusher Jack Sawyer 123rd to Pittsburgh.

The ultimate day of the draft additionally featured the commerce of a quarterback, as Seattle despatched Sam Howell and its fifth-round decide (No. 172 general) to Minnesota for the Vikings’ fifth-round choice (No. 142). Seattle then used the No. 142 decide on Notre Dame defensive sort out Rylie Mills.