Shedeur Sanders' draft slide is over.
The Browns selected the Colorado quarterback in the fifth round, using pick No. 144 overall to add Sanders to a crowded quarterback room.
At one point, Sanders seemed to be in discussion for Cleveland to take with the No. 2 overall pick or at the top of the second round. Instead, Sanders fell to the fifth round, as even the Browns took six players before selecting Sanders.
It is no surprise that Cleveland took Sanders, as they did a lot of research on this year's quarterback class. However, it is stunning that Sanders was Cleveland's second quarterback taken in the draft, going 50 picks after the Browns selected Oregon's Dillon Gabriel.
However, none of that matters now, as Sanders can move forward with an opportunity to prove the rest of the league wrong. Here's a breakdown of how Sanders will fit with his new team.
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How Shedeur Sanders fits with Browns
It may have happened way later than expected, but Sanders goes to an ideal landing spot in Cleveland.
The Browns have arguably the worst quarterback depth chart in the league, as Joe Flacco is at the top with Kenny Pickett slotted in at second. That should allow Sanders to compete for the starting job right away, even though he fell all the way to the fifth round.
Entering training camp, Flacco, Pickett, Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel will all likely compete for the starting job, allowing the best man to win. Simply, if Sanders outperforms the other three, he should be the Browns' starting quarterback in 2025. Presumably, Sanders enters the race as fourth in line, but that can change in a hurry.
Additionally, despite the Browns' dysfunction, head coach Kevin Stefanski is a well-respected offensive play-caller. Sanders should fit in well in Stefanski's system, which helped similar players like Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield excel. The weapons aren't great, but with Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku, there are a few veteran receivers there who can help a young QB.
So, while Sanders was surely disappointed by falling all the way to pick No. 144, it may work out in the end, even if it takes a couple of years.
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Browns QB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1. | Joe Flacco |
| 2. | Kenny Pickett |
| 3. | Dillon Gabriel |
| 4. | Shedeur Sanders |
| 5. | Deshaun Watson (injured) |
Cleveland enters the 2025 season with a giant question mark at quarterback, as Deshaun Watson is out while recovering from an Achilles injury. The Browns brought in Joe Flacco in free agency, Kenny Pickett via trade, and both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders by way of the draft, showing just how wide open this QB competition is.