The long-anticipated moment has arrived for Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft. Once seen as a contender to be the second quarterback selected this year, Sanders witnessed a significant decline in his draft stock.
On Saturday, the Cleveland Browns took a gamble on Sanders in the fifth round, selecting him with the 144th pick, subsequently trading up to secure their desired quarterback after having previously selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round. This marked a clear effort to fortify their quarterback lineup.
Interestingly, no quarterbacks were chosen in Round 4, leading to further delays for Sanders until he was picked by Cleveland.
So what does being a fifth-round pick signify for Sanders? While it might initially appear discouraging, it doesn’t determine his long-term prospects in the NFL. Historically, fifth-round selections can yield unforeseen success.
Tom Brady stands out as the quintessential example (No. 199, sixth round), having won seven Super Bowls and holding the record for all-time passing yards and touchdowns. However, Brady is somewhat unique in this regard.
A few quarterbacks drafted in Round 5 or later have achieved notable success in the league, including:
| Player | Draft Year | Draft Round | Overall Pick | Pro Bowls Made | Made Super Bowl (as starter)? | Won Super Bowl (as starter)? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Brady | 2000 | 6 | 199 | 15 | Yes (10 times) | Yes (7 times) |
| Matt Hasselbeck | 1998 | 6 | 188 | 3 | Yes (1 time) | No |
| Mark Brunell | 1993 | 5 | 118 | 3 | No | No |
| Marc Bulger | 2000 | 6 | 168 | 2 | No | No |
| Trent Green | 1993 | 8 | 222 | 2 | No | No |
| Brad Johnson | 1992 | 9 | 227 | 2 | Yes (1 time) | Yes (1 time) |
| Mark Rypien | 1986 | 6 | 146 | 2 | Yes (1 time) | Yes (1 time) |
These quarterbacks exemplify that late-round draft choices can, in fact, lead to successful careers. Despite his fifth-round label, Sanders retains that potential to thrive in the NFL.
