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Shedeur Sanders' journey to the NFL did not unfold as many expected. Once seen as an early Day 1 pick, the former Colorado star fell deep into the fifth round before the Cleveland Browns called his name with the No. 144 overall pick. While some saw the slide as a setback, others see it as a setup for a major comeback.
Among those optimistic about Sanders' future is ESPN's Mike Greenberg, who believes the rookie quarterback could seize the Browns' starting job earlier than anyone anticipates. Despite a crowded quarterback room, Greenberg argues that Sanders may have landed in the perfect situation to prove his worth.
A wide-open competition in Cleveland
Cleveland's quarterback lineup heading into the 2025 season is anything but settled. The room currently includes veterans Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett, alongside rookie Dillon Gabriel. However, as Greenberg pointed out, each option comes with major questions.
Watson's future with the Browns appears uncertain, and Flacco's career is winding down. Pickett, meanwhile, has bounced between teams and struggled to find stability. Even Gabriel, drafted earlier than Sanders, enters the league with less hype despite his third-round selection.
Given the shaky ground beneath his competitors, Sanders could find himself with a real shot to move up the depth chart quickly. According to Greenberg, the circumstances surrounding Sanders' draft position don't diminish his talent or potential to lead.
A fresh start and a chance to shine
While the draft marks a major milestone, Greenberg reminds fans that it is just the beginning of a player's NFL story. In Sanders' case, his new environment in Cleveland could be the launchpad he needs to make an immediate impact.
"If I had to bet," Greenberg said, "I would bet that Shedeur Sanders is the starting quarterback for Cleveland sometime relatively early this season." It's a bold prediction, but considering the instability around him, Sanders' path to playing time might be much shorter than anyone expected.
Now, it's up to Sanders to show that the slide on draft day was just a detour, and that his real story is only getting started.