Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders may have received one of the rarest privileges for an NFL rookie, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Sanders, once projected as a first-round pick, fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Browns selected him 144th overall. While his draft slide was surprising, Rapoport believes it may have worked in his favor.
“This is part of the reason why a guy who’s talented enough to go in the first round falls to the fifth round,” Rapoport said. “Because if he’s not gonna be your starter, do you want all of those cliques surrounding a quarterback who he’s buried on your depth chart?”
Rapoport explained that Sanders’ situation allows him to develop without immediate pressure. “The way this is set up with him being really just a flyer, a lottery ticket for the Browns,” he said. “They don’t have to find anything out. He doesn’t need to play. He doesn’t need to be forced on the field. He doesn’t need to be the backup.”
Competition is fierce
With Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland’s third-round pick, expected to compete for the backup role, Sanders has the rare luxury of learning behind veterans Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, and Kenny Pickett without the pressure of immediate playing time.
While Sanders may not see it as a privilege, Rapoport believes it’s an ideal situation for his development. “He has the incredible luxury of not having to do anything his rookie year-just fading into the background as much as possible and learning,” he said.
For now, Sanders will focus on adjusting to the NFL, refining his skills, and preparing for future opportunities with the Browns. While the competition won’t be easy, the early reports indicate that he can win the starting job for a franchise that needs success fast.
