Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns, Round 5, Pick 6 (144th overall)
The Cleveland Browns drafted Shedeur Sanders with the sixth pick of Round 5.
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Fantasy Football Impact for Shedeur Sanders on the Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders is a Cleveland Brown, but it took longer than many expected. He was the 144th player and sixth quarterback taken overall, but he was not the first quarterback selected by the Browns. Fifty picks earlier, Cleveland drafted Dillon Gabriel after trading up to take him in the third round. Cleveland also traded up for Sanders, which cost the Browns their fifth- and sixth-round picks.
Sanders makes up for his average arm strength with surgeon-like accuracy. In 2024, he completed 74 percent of his passes. Only five quarterbacks in the BCS-College Football Playoff era have achieved a higher single-season completion percentage with a minimum of 400 attempts, according to Stathead data. His 37 passing touchdowns ranked second only to Cam Ward. Sanders has the mobility to extend plays, but he holds the ball too long and moves backward in the pocket under pressure. He has been sacked 90 times over the past two seasons.
He has the poise and talent to be an NFL starter if he can get on the field, which will be a challenge. As of this writing, the Browns have five quarterbacks on their roster but no clear hierarchy. Based on his contract value alone, Deshaun Watson should be the starter, but our Adam Hutchinson thinks he could miss all of the 2025 season after he suffered a setback recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Plus, Watson's on-field play in Cleveland, combined with his off-field distractions, has caused the Browns to move away from their high-priced quarterback. It seems that the only reason Watson is still on the team is that the team would suffer a $172.7 million cap hit if they released him. Last month, the Browns acquired Kenny Pickett from the Eagles. Pickett, who is 15-10 as a starter, has completed 62.4 percent of his career passes with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Two weeks ago, the Browns brought back Joe Flacco, who won the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award as a Brown, on a one-year deal. Yesterday, the Browns drafted Gabriel.
Fantasy Football Fallout
Shedeur Sanders may not be a typical fifth-round quarterback, but few expected his draft capital would suggest he's competing for a spot on the practice squad rather than the starting job. Since 2000, 14 of the 140 quarterbacks drafted in the fifth round or later started at least three games in their rookie seasons, and Bruce Gradkowski and Gardner Minshew II are the only ones to start at least 10 games. Fortunately for Sanders, Gabriel is the only quarterback on the roster that the Browns drafted. The rest are short-term rentals (Flacco was signed for one year, and Pickett has a $22 million club option for 2026 that is unlikely to be exercised) or a long-term headache (Watson).
Sanders is irrelevant for redraft leagues unless he wins the starting or primary backup role in training camp. Dynasty managers have a tougher call to make on Sanders. Those with deep benches, good quarterback depth, and patience can take a chance on Sanders developing into a starting quarterback or becoming a journeyman backup, but beware the price. According to our latest Superflex Rookie average draft position (ADP), Sanders has been going in the late first round, which is now too high. Rebuilding dynasty managers should avoid the Browns' quarterback room entirely.
Stock Watch
Risers
- None
Fallers
Overview
Shedeur Sanders tumbled down the NFL draft board until the Cleveland Browns selected him with the 144th overall pick, 50 picks after they drafted Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. These two will compete with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett for playing time. Sanders is a non-factor for redraft leagues unless he beats out at least two of his teammates, and dynasty managers should avoid overpaying based on his aspirational ceiling. He is a fifth-round rookie, so value him as such.
For more information on the 2025 NFL Draft, check out the Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide, where you can read about Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns, and other rookie team fits. The post-Draft edition will be released on April 30.
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