NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson highlighted the bright side of Shedeur Sanders falling to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After initially being touted as a top-five draft selection, the former Colorado Buffaloes had to wait until Day 3 of the draft to hear his name called.
The Cleveland Browns drafted him with the No. 144 overall selection, ending a shocking situation that not many saw coming.
It's been over a month since the draft and Sanders is already settling in with his team, where he'll have to compete with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel and veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett to earn the starting spot under center.
His father, Deion Sanders, defended him against the narratives suggesting Shedeur Sanders didn't take the pre-draft process as seriously as expected.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12).
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12).
Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sharpe and Johnson sided with the two-time NFL champion, saying that it was positive for Shedeur Sanders to be drafted that low during Monday's edition of their "Nightcap" show.
"I know one thing," Johnson said. "This was a blessing in disguise."
"You and I both said it ain't it ain't it ain't how high how high you go, it's where you go," Sharpe responded. "And what you do when you get there."
"That's it. Um, but look, he got, look, his dad has prepared for this. He, guess what? He's been Deion Sanders' son as long as he hadn't been. He hadn't been anything but that. So, the criticism has always been there."
"Always," Johnson interjected. "Which is why he gonna be all right. He been dealing with adversity and obstacles for a long time. Very long time. So, this is nothing new."
After his dramatic draft slide, many sent Shedeur Sanders the same message. Tom Brady encouraged him to take this as an opportunity to grow and as motivation to show that he belongs in the league.
Sanders is drawing mixed reactions during his first days with the Browns, but he's stated that he's focused on learning as much as possible and help his team however he can.