Shedeur Sanders drafted by Cleveland Browns in round 5 of NFL draft

After an unexpected slide through the early rounds, Shedeur Sanders is officially off the board.

The Cleveland Browns selected the former Colorado quarterback in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday, ending Sanders’ long wait.

Sanders entered the draft as one of the most highly regarded quarterback prospects, with many projecting him to go in the first or second round.

His fall out of the opening night was surprising, and as Rounds 2 and 3 came and went without his name called, it became one of the biggest storylines of the draft.

Keeping a positive outlook, Sanders posted on X Saturday morning: “Another day another opportunity to get a chance to play the game I love. Thank you GOD #LEGENDARY.”

After being selected by Cleveland, he followed up with a simple but emotional message: “Thank you GOD.”

Despite multiple opportunities, including selections by the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns, Sanders remained on the board heading into Day 3.

Throughout the first two days, Sanders watched as four other quarterbacks were taken ahead of him.

Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart went to the New York Giants at No. 25 after a trade-up move Thursday. On Friday, Louisville’s Tyler Shough was selected by the Saints in Round 2, followed by Alabama’s Jalen Milroe to the Seahawks and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel to the Browns in the third round.

Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward were widely regarded as the top two passing prospects in the draft, with some analysts ranking Sanders even higher, according to the Associated Press. Ward, meanwhile, was selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.