2025 NFL Draft: Jason Whitlock points out Browns rookie minicamp moment as real reason teams passed on Shedeur Sanders in 2025 NFL Draft

After being projected to be among the top five picks during the 2024 college football season, Shedeur Sanders slid out of the first four rounds and was eventually selected 144th by the Cleveland Browns.

There are many speculations about why Deion Sanders' son saw a dramatic slide in his draft stock. Some speculate it was due to his decision not to participate in the NFL combine. Others believe it was because of his coming across as "arrogant" and "brash."

Jason Whitlock also shared his thoughts on the attention that comes with drafting Shedeur in his latest YouTube video:

“I saw someone say all this conversation about Shedeur Sanders and Kevin Stefanski getting asked by a reporter, ‘Shedeur took the second team reps.' … This is why no one wanted Shedeur Sanders, just there's too much hype around a fifth-round pick.”

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Some analysts also believe that Sanders' massive draft slide was due to his coming with a lot of "show" because of the attention he got due to his family. Mike Tomlin also recently commented on why the Steelers passed on the quarterback, explaining that the "off-the-field distractions don’t align with the players" they draft.

Chase Daniel comments on Shedeur Sanders' start with the Browns

Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel believes the former Colorado star will make it to the Browns roster, but the starting QB job might be out of reach for a while.

"I don't think it's going to mean he's winning the starting job right when these rookies go away, and then the vets come in, and then the team gets there, there's 90 guys," Daniel said Tuesday. "He's fourth on the depth chart.

"I can see how Shedeur can start games. There is a difference, though… There's a difference for an opportunity to play and an opportunity to be successful, because sometimes, as a rookie quarterback, when you play too early and you're not ready to play, some stars can come bite you."

Daniel further jabbed at the Cleveland Browns' previous quarterbacks and said:

"He doesn't know the stats of successful quarterbacks in the franchise, but it's not good."

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Shedeur Sanders will have to battle it out with fellow draftee Dillon Gabriel, veteran Joe Flacco and former first-round selection Kenny Pickett on the Browns' QB depth chart.

About the author

Prasen is an NFL/College Sports analyst at Sportskeeda. A B.Tech/Civil Engineering graduate, he has two years of experience writing content.

For Prasen, providing historical angles relevant to the story is important, as it can give the reader useful information and help them relate it to the present. He thinks this keeps the content unique rather than just a bland reporting of facts. Prasen believes in fact-checking and researching relevant information as per the headline and context. He hates clickbait or misleading the reader.

A fan of the Colorado Buffaloes since Deion Sanders took over as coach, Prasen expects Coach Prime to make the Buffs a national championship contender. Nick Saban is his favorite all-time coach, while Baker Mayfield and Caitlin Clark are his favorite players. Prasen considers Vince Young coming up clutch for the Texas Longhorns in the dying seconds of the 2017 national championship game against the USC Trojans as the most iconic moment of all time.

Per Prasen, College Sports is competitive and garners attention but it is just the beginning, where a student-athlete can show their skills and potential to make it to the big leagues. When he is not researching and writing, Prasen’s hobbies include pursuing higher studies and playing sports.

Know More

Cleveland Browns Nation! Check out the latest Cleveland Browns Schedule and dive into the Browns Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Edited by Nicolaas Ackermann