Shedeur Sanders experienced a surprising draft-week slide, ultimately being selected with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, far lower than many analysts had projected. Sanders was believed to be in play as high as No. 2 to the Cleveland Browns at one point.
Multiple NFL coaches cited concerns about Sanders\' development needs and questioned his fit as a backup quarterback.
\"He\'s got a skill set, but no dominant trait. He\'s a backup at this point, and those guys have to be wired for humble support of the starter,\" said an NFL wide receivers coach.
Perhaps most damaging was feedback from a former NFL quarterbacks coach who revealed troubling behind-the-scenes information.
\"The intel I got was shocking: \'This guy has no awareness about how he\'s coming across,\' or the type of leverage he has or doesn\'t have,\" the coach said.
Sanders\' decision to skip both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine likely contributed to his draft position, creating pause among team evaluators. These showcase events are particularly important for prospects who aren\'t considered first-round locks.
An NFL offensive coordinator highlighted technical concerns: \"Shedeur has some leaks in his throwing motion,\" while adding, \"He\'s smart. He\'s tough.\" The same coach criticized Sanders\' college system, noting he was sacked 94 times over two years, questioning his ability to get rid of the ball quickly under pressure.
A second NFL offensive coordinator characterized Sanders as \"really developmental\" without elite traits, though acknowledging, \"He\'s tough as hell. He\'s not overly mobile.\"
Sanders now faces stiff competition in Cleveland, where he\'ll compete with earlier draft pick Dillon Gabriel from Oregon, along with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
