Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft: Pick 144, Why He Fell, Contract

There was a time, not long ago, when Shedeur Sanders looked like a lock for the first round. Instead, the Colorado quarterback waited until the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft before the Cleveland Browns traded up to take him with the 144th pick. This article breaks down why the projected top pick fell so far, what his rookie contract might look like, and what the Browns are getting in the son of Deion Sanders.

Draft Team: Cleveland Browns ·
Round: 5th ·
Pick: 144th overall ·
Height: 6’2″ ·
Weight: 215 lbs ·
Pre-Draft Projection: First round (ESPN (leading sports media))

Nine facts sum up the Sanders draft profile:

Did Shedeur Sanders get drafted in the NFL Draft?

Yes. The Cleveland Browns selected Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the No. 144 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The selection occurred in the fifth round after the Browns traded up with the Seattle Seahawks.

When was Shedeur Sanders drafted?

• Date: April 26, 2025 – Round 5, Day 3 of the draft (ESPN video coverage)
• He was the sixth quarterback selected, after Dillon Gabriel (94th overall) and others (ESPN).

Which team selected Shedeur Sanders?

• Cleveland Browns – they executed a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to move up from pick 166 to 144 (ClevelandBrowns.com).
• The Browns sent picks No. 166 and No. 192 overall to Seattle (NFL.com).

The Browns’ decision to trade up signals that they believe in Sanders’ potential, despite the fall.

What round is Shedeur Sanders projected to be drafted?

The gap between projection and reality is striking. Early in the 2025 draft cycle, Sanders was viewed as a potential top‑10 pick. He ultimately fell to the fifth round.

Pre-draft projections for Shedeur Sanders

• January 2025: ESPN reported Sanders was “projected as a possible top pick” (ESPN).
• Most mock drafts placed him in the first round, often in the top 15.

How did his draft stock change?

• Over the weekend, Sanders’ name was not called in the first three rounds.
• By the fifth round, the Browns traded up to end his slide (NFL.com).

The mismatch between pre-draft hype and actual selection leaves questions about how teams evaluated his tape.

Why did Shedeur Sanders fall so low in the draft?

Several factors contributed to the unexpected slide. No single reason dominates, but analysts point to a combination of scouting concerns and the depth of the quarterback class.

Scouting concerns

• Mechanics: Some scouts questioned his footwork and release under pressure (per ESPN analysis).
• Competition level: His production at Colorado came against Power 5 defenses, but the overall quality of his supporting cast was a talking point.
• Pro day performance: Not all teams were convinced by his pre-draft workouts.

Comparison to other quarterbacks

• The 2025 QB class was described by many analysts as “weak” (ESPN), yet six QBs were drafted before the end of the fifth round.
• Teams that needed a QB early took players like Dillon Gabriel, leaving Sanders waiting (ESPN).

Impact of Deion Sanders factor

• Some media speculated that the high‑profile presence of his father, Deion Sanders (his college head coach), created extra scrutiny and possibly reluctance from some franchises.
• No team officially cited this as a reason.

The pattern suggests that even with family fame, NFL teams ultimately judged Sanders on his own merits—and found enough questions to let him fall.

How much is Shedeur Sanders getting paid in the NFL?

Sanders will sign a rookie contract based on the NFL’s wage scale for fifth‑round picks. Exact figures are not yet official, but estimates put the total value near $4–5 million over four years.

Rookie contract structure

• All draft picks sign predetermined slotted deals. For the 144th pick in 2025, the estimated total is around $4.2 million (based on historical slot values).
• The deal typically includes a signing bonus of roughly $500,000 (NFL.com).

Fifth-round pick salary

• Base salaries are low in the first two years, increasing in years 3 and 4.
• No guaranteed money beyond the signing bonus, unless negotiated.

Bonuses and guarantees

• Fifth‑round picks rarely receive guaranteed base salaries.
• Sanders’ earning potential depends on making the roster and performance incentives.

The implication: Sanders’ contract reflects his draft position, but his performance could rewrite the financial narrative.

What is the height and weight of Shedeur Sanders?

Sanders’ measurements are typical for a modern NFL quarterback and were confirmed at the Colorado pro day.

Official combine measurements

• Height: 6’2″ (NFL.com)
• Weight: 215 lbs
• Age: 23 (turned 23 in February 2025)

Comparison to other quarterbacks

• His height is average among starting NFL QBs (the league median is about 6’2″).
• His weight is considered ideal for mobility – lighter than a pocket passer, heavier than a pure scrambler.

The implication: Sanders’ frame is not a concern. The slide was not about measurables.

The Browns’ trade details and Sanders’ draft slot form a clear picture:

“The Browns moved up in the fifth round to stop Sanders’ draft weekend slide.”

NFL.com (the league’s official news platform)

“Sanders was projected in January as a possible top pick; he finished as the sixth quarterback selected.”

ESPN (leading sports media outlet)

For Shedeur Sanders, the path to proving doubters wrong begins in Cleveland’s training camp. For the Browns, the bet on two rookie quarterbacks could define their season.

Analysts continue to debate the factors behind Shedeur Sanders draft-day slide, from his pro-day numbers to team fit concerns.

Frequently asked questions