Michael Strahan, Tom Brady Support Shedeur Sanders After Fifth Round Draft Slide

Shedeur Sanders, once projected as a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, unexpectedly fell to the fifth round where the Cleveland Browns selected him 144th overall, making his drop one of the draft's most discussed stories. Many analysts had ranked Sanders as the second-best quarterback, but concerns over his arm strength and athleticism, as well as reported negative interviews, contributed to his slide behind five other QBs. Despite this, Sanders' college production—over 4,100 yards and 37 touchdowns with a 74% completion rate—was widely praised. Michael Strahan, relaying advice from Tom Brady, emphasized that draft position does not determine future success, referencing Brady's own rise from a late-round pick to NFL legend. Strahan also criticized the use of anonymous sources to disparage Sanders and expressed confidence in Sanders' potential to make a significant impact in Cleveland. Both Strahan and Brady believe Sanders has the opportunity to thrive, drawing parallels to other star quarterbacks who overcame draft-day disappointments.