Shedeur Sanders wasn’t the only one who felt the sting of sliding from a projected first-round pick to being selected 144th overall in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin, who has long supported Sanders, had mixed emotions about the surprising drop.
Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show on May 17, Irvin shared his honest reaction to Sanders’ slide in the draft.
“I was both p*ssed and pleased,” Irvin said. “I know how hard he pursued that dream. And how hard he wanted to be drafted higher than his dad… So, to see them punish him like that and to see him go through what he went through, it was painful for me.”
Many analysts were left stunned when Sanders fell deep into Day 3 of the draft. The Cleveland Browns ultimately traded up in the fifth round to select him—this after they already grabbed Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Browns view Gabriel as a “solid future backup,” while Sanders is more of a “lottery ticket” with true starter potential.
Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) heads off the field after the first day of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
“Start from the bottom and climb his way up”: NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin believes Shedeur Sanders can rise against adversity
Even though Michael Irvin was frustrated by Shedeur Sanders’ draft-day drop, the Hall of Famer sees it as an opportunity—not a setback.
“All they did by doing this, even though it was painful to watch him drop, I was pleased with how he handled it,” Irvin said. “They gave him that same start again. Start from the bottom and climb his way up, and he’ll make it work.”
Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, left, works with quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
Sanders himself didn’t appear fazed, keeping a calm and confident demeanor despite the unexpected outcome. Speaking to reporters after the draft, he said, “I’m a Sanders, so there are always going to be expectations regardless of what pick I am.”
Shedeur Sanders
May 9, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) walks off the field after rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Now with the Cleveland Browns, Sanders enters a quarterback room that’s as competitive as it gets. With Deshaun Watson expected to miss significant time in 2025, the QB battle is wide open between Sanders, veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
For Shedeur, it’s just another step on the journey—from the bottom to wherever he wants to go.
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