Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders’ Missed the Best Opportunity With the Ravens, Thanks to the NFL Draft Fiasco!

Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders, the poised pocket passer and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders burst onto the college scene at Jackson State before dazzling at Colorado. With pinpoint accuracy and a great completion rate, he was the most polished QB prospect in the 2025 class, widely projected as a top-five draft pick, with some mock drafts having him going as high as No. 2 overall to needy teams like the Browns or Steelers.

Yet, Sanders’ draft stock plummeted amid whispers of entitlement and poor interview vibes, culminating in a shocking fifth-round slide to the No. 144 pick. Scouts cited his habit of being unprepared for meetings, or even walking out of them, along with critiquing coaches and various teams, deemed cocky with him seeming like a red flag. Teams that eyed him early, like the Jets or the Saints, balked, fearing the off-field drama outweighed his arm talent.

Now with the Browns, Sanders languishes behind a crowded QB room, including Joe Flacco, who dismal 2025 start, still hasn’t opened the door for Shedeur to take over. Despite the veteran’s turnover crippling Cleveland’s 1-3 offense, rookie Dillon Gabriel leapfrogged Sanders for the Week 5 starting QB role, leaving the talented fifth-rounder frustrated over untapped potential in a franchise desperate for stability.

Shedeur Sanders’ Costly Draft Choice

Shedeur Sanders stunned the NFL world by reportedly declining to be selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 draft. At No. 141, Baltimore eyed him as QB3 behind Lamar Jackson and veteran Cooper Rush, but Sanders balked at the prospect of being a long-term backup to the two-time MVP. Three picks later, the Cleveland Browns pounced at No.144, trading up to secure Sanders.

Fast forward to October 2025, Sanders’ fate strikes a lot of irony since Lamar Jackson is currently nursing a hamstring injury from Week 4’s 37-20 beating from the Chiefs. Baltimore’s 1-3 record and shaky defense left an opening for a young QB like Sanders to compete in a strong offense. Instead, the Ravens rely on backups, risking their season altogether.

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Shedeur Sanders May Not Get a Chance to Shine Playing for the Browns

In Cleveland, Sanders sits as QB3 behind struggling Joe Flacco (58.1 pass completion rate, 815 passing yards, 2 TDs, 60.3 QB rating, and 6 INTs) and rookie Dillon Gabriel, who won the backup job. Deshaun Watson, out with an Achilles injury, leaves no room for Sanders.

Browns make change to Dillon Gabriel as starting QB, will start Week 5 vs. Vikings. (via @rapsheet, @TomPelissero, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/JCRIVShEA4
— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2025

Sanders’ draft attitude may have cost him a promising career, and for now, we do not see his situation improving.

Browns QB Situation

Now that Dillon Gabriel is the starting quarterback, Joe Flacco will serve as a backup to Gabriel, with Shedeur Sanders still remaining as a QB3 option. This is surprising as Flacco has played horribly this season, as mentioned earlier and backed up by stats.

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While the opportunity may have been presented to Sanders, as slim as it may be, it is now up to him to work harder than ever and secure QB1 position. For now, the Browns will face the Vikings at London, and all eyes will be on Dillon Gabriel’s performance, and if he fails to capitalize on his moment, we might see Sanders up next.

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.