Browns Make One 'Promise' After Controversial Shedeur Sanders Selection

The shock of Shedeur Sanders' slide into Day 3 of the NFL Draft captivated the entire football world. Just days ago, his absence from the top 32 selections would have been a slightly shocking reality. 

By Saturday, some wondered if he would hear his name called at all once the draft trickled into the fifth round. However, the Cleveland Browns finally stepped up at No. 144 to take him. 

At certain points in the pre-draft process, the Browns were projected as one of the top suitors for Sanders who some had going as high as No. 2 overall. Their wait eventually brought them back to Sanders on Day 3 under some odd circumstances. 

Cleveland drafted Dillon Gabriel Friday night, adding a rookie to a depth chart already consisting of three quarterbacks. That number now moves to five with Sanders now in the fold. 

Some context adds a little sense here. Not all five will make the active roster and usual No. 1 play caller Deshaun Watson could miss the entire 2025 season with an Achilles injury. Nonetheless, it is a packed room for any rookie (or the plural "rookies" in this case) to walk into. 

Per Browns general manager Andrew Berry, it appears the Browns hope to foster some competition between the younger guys and the veterans through offseason programs. For Sanders, this will be a situation completely different than what he has grown accustomed to at every level of football. 

"We believe he's a guy who can outperform his draft slot... we know he's grown up in the spotlight, but our expectation is that he'll come in here and compete for a spot. 

"Nothing has been promised and nothing will be given. We wouldn't call it a blockbuster... that's not how we think of this transaction. But we are excited to work with him."

That's not to say he cannot earn it, but there will be an uphill battle to climb from the bottom of depth chart. He will navigate that challenge with more eyes on him than ever before. 

Knowing now he will be heading to Cleveland, much of the promises and security he would hope to have entering the league are not guaranteed to him at all. He will have to earn all of it from the first day.