Shadeur Sanders Falls to Browns in 5th Round Steal

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GREEN Bay – The Cleveland Browns shocked the NFL again, but this time it was in a good way. After selecting Oregon Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, it looked like the Browns’ quarterback room didn’t have any space for one quarterback. Then, on Saturday afternoon, Cleveland General Manager Andrew Berry dared to do something no one expected with an out-of-nowhere trade up to acquire the Seattle Seahawks’ 144th overall pick. Then came the shocking declaration that after nearly five whole rounds of waiting around, Colorado Buffaloes’ phenomenal quarterback Shadeur Sanders finally got the call that Cleveland selected him in the fifth round.

After rumors swirled from within NFL circles about terrible interviews with GMs around the league, those rumors almost seemed like concrete information rather than pure speculation. Sanders was an early first-round projection. How did he fall so far?

There were questions about his athleticism first. In fact, his draft prospect page on the NFL league page gave him an unfavorable grade under 70 percent athleticism while the page painted a clear picture that Sanders football intellect was mind boggling good to say the least.

The jokes on social media painted a mindset that the Browns, namely Berry, had no clue what to do in this draft at all. The common theme of “The Browns are going to do Browns things” was seen on multiple Facebook posts. The mindset that NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders would eventually criticize the team that selected Sanders paints an image that Sanders has a lack of professionalism, and don’t let a team teach him how to be a successful quarterback comes across as absurd. This was the critical point that many Browns fans and NFL fans in general pointed out. ESPN’s NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper was quick to dismiss that notion.

Theories ranged from “The NFL is humbling him “ to “This was racism at a Colin Kaepernick level”. While the first one is more plausible, the rumors are just that, rumors.

Perhaps a lot of NFL teams really didn’t like Sanders attitude. Maybe in his interviews, they preferred he spoke less of his dad and shifted to focus to own merits. While it’s possible that Sanders could have presented himself differently overall, it never came across as a reason to wait almost a full five rounds to select him.

The late decision is especially odd given that the Browns drafted Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel before Sanders. Now that Cleveland brings five total quarterbacks into pre-season, one or two won’t make the regular season roster. However, these opinions that he’s not good enough and that his dad is going to completely take over his career are highly questionable. Though many Browns fans have shown skepticism since Johnny Manziel was thought to be the most arrogant quarterback in Browns history, who had little chance of lasting long in the league. The Cleveland faithful also remember that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s dad got way too involved with interfering with his son’s career, and that led to tension within the team.

Although it’s important to listen to such concerns, it’s a bad case of overthinking that will eventually be proven. If this all turns out to be wrong, then it’ll be time to “take a slice of humble pie.” These concerns appear to be unwarranted.

Also, the game film proves that Sanders plays with a similar style to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. How many Browns fans would relish the opportunity to go back in a time machine and warn Berry not to allow the Ravens to take Jackson?

Sanders will likely not play right away. He’ll learn from the likely week one starter, Joe Flacco. He still has a lot to learn, but it’s best to see what he does. After all, six-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady’s athletic prowess was questionable, and Sanders worked out with him.

It’s also important to remember that despite inconsistent pass blocking, Sanders threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns last season. Even though Big 12 defenses didn’t provide the best test, he will get a taste of what elite defense looks like in the AFC North. He will face true tests and become better for it. He shouldn’t be rushed onto the field prematurely. The Browns would be better off letting Sanders learn first before starting in the regular season.