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Nearly a month ago, the NFL world was left stunned by what happened to Shedeur Sanders in the recent Draft. The Colorado quarterback had an outstanding 2024 season in the NCAA, earning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and was projected to be considered a first-round pick.
In the betting markets, the top quarterback favorite to be selected first was Cam Ward (who was picked by the Titans), followed by Shedeur Sanders. But surprisingly, that didn't happen. In the first round, the Giants made a trade to pick Jaxson Dart, who became the second quarterback taken, and that's when Sanders' slide began.
He wasn't selected in the second round either. The New Orleans Saints were the heavy favorites to pick him in that round, but they chose Tyler Shough instead. Quarterbacks continued to be drafted, but not Shedeur Sanders. It wasn't until the fifth round, with the 144th overall pick, that the Cleveland Browns finally took the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback.
Drew Bledsoe expressed confusion over what happened to Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders could have entered the NFL as a star, but now, having been picked in the fifth round, he'll have to prove he's a valuable player. And he'll certainly have to compete for a spot with the Cleveland Browns against Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel.
Drew Bledsoe, Super Bowl champion with the Patriots in 2021, said Sanders should have been drafted much earlier-not on the third day of the Draft in the fifth round.
"I thought he had first-round talent. I don't know the kid, and it's still a mystery to me why he fell so far in the draft. But when I watch him play, he's accurate. He throws with anticipation. That's a quarterback trait I always look for when evaluating them," Bledsoe said. "Shedeur seems to anticipate well. I liked watching him in college. He didn't get much help from his offensive line-he took a lot of hits."
One key point Bledsoe made about Sanders is that he came from a smaller university, where he had to prove his worth. This contrasts with quarterbacks from elite programs like Ohio State or Alabama, where talent surrounds players at all positions.
"Their teammates are usually better than the opposing team's. They don't take many hits, and they throw to wide-open receivers. Most quarterbacks should be able to do that."
What's certain is that in the Cleveland Browns' training camp, Shedeur will have to showcase all his talent-and there's no doubt he's thinking about proving all the other 31 NFL teams wrong for ing on him.