From 1st to 144th

Just a couple of months ago, highly touted prospect Shedeur Sanders was projected to be selected with the top overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and at worst in the top 3. Fast forward to present day, Sanders was taken with the 144th pick to the Cleveland Browns in one of the most stunning draft falls of all time.

Out of the University of Colorado and a transfer from Jackson State, Sanders had a great college career while playing under his dad as the head coach all of those years. He was regarded by many as the best quarterback in this draft. 

So why did Sanders wait so long for his name to be called? Five quarterbacks went ahead of him, including Dillon Gabriel who was also selected by Cleveland, making the Sanders pick very questionable for the Browns. 

There is lots of speculation that Sanders was chosen so late because his pre-draft meetings went poorly with multiple teams. He has always had a very high ego, stemming from his dad, so potentially this played a big factor in these meetings. 

Speaking of his dad, many NFL teams don't want to deal with Deion. Deion has coached Shedeur his entire life, from when he was a kid to college. There had been rumors before the draft that Deion may follow his son to whatever team he goes to in the NFL.

The unwanted media and theatrics that Deion brings is not something any NFL team really desires to have, creating another red flag for Shedeur. It will be interesting to see how Shedeur plays without his father watching from the sideline for the first time in his life.

Another thing that makes this selection so interesting is that Sanders becomes the fifth quarterback on the Browns roster. Cleveland's original starter, Deshaun Watson, will most likely not be ready to go come Week 1 due to injury. 

Joe Flacco was just signed by the Browns and Kenny Pickett was an earlier offseason transaction. And like I said before, Dillon Gabriel was selected ahead of Sanders in this draft. Nowadays rarely do any teams carry three quarterbacks during games, so the Browns will have some key decisions to make.

A lot of questions and interest have and will continue to surround Shedeur Sanders. This has officially become the NFL's latest mystery that should begin to unravel shortly.