As Browns Executive Vice President and General Manager Andrew Berry assessed the players remaining midway through Round 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft, he grew increasingly fond of the idea of bringing in a quarterback the Browns spent significant time with in the pre-draft process.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, who was projected by many draft analysts to be a Day 1 or Day 2 pick, was still available as the fifth round began.
He was the best player remaining on the Browns' board, and Berry wanted to go get him.
"We live by our board, and we felt like he was a good solid prospect at the most important position," Berry said. "We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mis-priced relative to the draft. The acquisition cost was pretty light, and we think he's a guy who can outproduce his draft slot."
So, the Browns traded their only remaining two Day 3 picks with the Seahawks to move up to 144th overall and select Sanders, who produced in big ways in all four of his college seasons and delivered plenty of big throws in his final two years in Boulder, Colorado.
Take a look back at Shedeur Sanders' football career from his days in college to becoming the Cleveland Browns' 2025 first-round draft pick.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) is shown during the first half of the Cricket Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game against the South Carolina State Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks at an NCAA college football Pac-12 media day Friday, July 21, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Lucas Peltier)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders carries the ball during the half of the Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina Central, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr. )
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) sets up to pass against Southern University during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Jackson State won 35-0. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) runs during the second half of the Orange Blossom Classic NCAA college football game, Sunday against Florida A&M, Sept. 4, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Jackson State won 59-3. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) scrambles with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Jackson State won 22-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) looks for running room as Florida A&M defensive lineman Stanley Mentor (98) follows on the play in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders prays before an NCAA college football game against North Dakota State Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, left, throws a pass as Colorado State linebacker Chase Wilson pursues in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) passes the ball against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2), son of Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders, throws during an NCAA football game against Louisiana Monroe on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Monroe, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) is pursued by Stanford linebacker Spencer Jorgensen (10) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, right, gestures to the crowd after scoring a touchdown as Colorado offensive lineman Camden Dempsey, front left, and guard Jack Bailey look on in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) smiles after completing a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Jackson State won 22-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during the first half of an NCAA spring college football game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) stands back to pass during the first half of the Orange Blossom Classic NCAA college football game against Florida A&M, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, right, runs for a short gain as Nebraska defensive lineman Kai Wallin pursues in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado wideout Travis Hunter, left, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders pose for a photograph before the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders attempts a pass during the first half of the Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina Central Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr. )
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) embraces wide receivers Xavier Weaver (10) and Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
FILE - Then-Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders, left, and his son then-Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders sing the school's alma mater after the Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina Central, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Atlanta. Deion Sanders is now head coach at Colorado and Shedeur Sanders now plays for Colorado. Colorado opens their season at TCU on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr., File)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Liberty guard Jaylyn Sherrod (0) poses for a photo with Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders after playing in a WNBA basketball semifinal game against Las Vegas Aces, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders prepares to call a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, right, runs for a short gain as Utah linebacker Karene Reid makes the tackle in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado's quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) prepares to throw the ball against Texas Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) eludes Kansas State defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi (44) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders talks to quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) heads to the field before an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) scrambles for yardage against Central Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Travis Hunter, left, and Shedeur Sanders, right, react after their jersey retirements during Colorado's NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) takes part in passing drills during Colorado's NFL football pro day Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Shedeur Sanders looks on at his jersey retirement ceremony during Colorado's NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Shedeur Sanders looks on at his jersey retirement ceremony during Colorado's NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) takes part in passing drills during Colorado's NFL football pro day Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado State's Shedeur Sanders interviews with NFL Network during the Big 12 Conference's NFL football pro day Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Shedeur Sanders, Deion Sanders, and Shilo Sanders, of University of Colorado, on the red carpet before the NFL Honors award show ahead of the Super Bowl 59 football game, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in New Orleans. (Jeff Lewis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (QB13) poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
West's Shedeur Sanders, who did not play, talks with others on the sideline in the second half of the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) gestures after throwing a touchdown pass as offensive lineman Justin Mayers (66) looks on in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
FILE - Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) throws a pass against Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
FILE - Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, left, talks with quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) looks to throw against BYU during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) reacts in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Sanders was one of the most discussed players of the draft class after winning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors with the Buffaloes in 2024. He completed 74 percent of his passes with 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2024, earning him second team All-American honors.
The Browns reviewed all the film they could with Sanders as they looked to revamp their quarterback room. They had pre-draft interviews with both Sanders and spent time with both him and his father, Deion Sanders, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado coach who coached his son throughout college.
The father-son duo began attracting attention at the college levels when they teamed up at Jackson State for two seasons, which led to Sanders consistently ripping through defenses for 6,963 passing yards, 70 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Both of them stepped up to an even bigger stage by moving to the Colorado program in 2023—along with 2024 Heisman Trophy winner WR/CB Travis Hunter—and led the way toward improving the Buffaloes in two years. The Buffaloes were 1-11 in 2022 prior to Sanders' arrival and finished the 2024 season 9-4.
"I think Shedeur has grown up in the spotlight," Berry said, "but our expectation is for him to come in here and work and compete."
Sanders' competition will include three other quarterbacks added to the Browns' roster this offseason. Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel, whom the Browns drafted on Day 2 in the third round, will vie for the Week 1 starting job.
Regardless of who wins the job, the Browns see a lot of valuable traits in Sanders' game that pair well in head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense.
"We view him as a highly accurate pocket passer," Berry said. "He does a really good job of protecting the ball. He has enough of the physical characteristics, whether it's arm strength or mobility. Like all young players, there are things to improve."
Berry knows Sanders will be hungry to come to Cleveland and establish himself at the NFL level, which was the exact message he relayed as he gave Sanders the draft call he had been waiting for.
The draft position is no longer important to Sanders or the Browns, and all that matters now is the Browns putting Sanders in a position to grow and Sanders doing the most with his opportunities.
"You have to come in and work, and you have to come in and compete," Berry said. "That's the message. Nothing's given. It really doesn't matter where you picked, it's what you do from that point forward. Because that's the reality for all the guys that we selected this weekend."
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