Tom Brady gives verdict on Shedeur Sanders draft slide as new Browns star offered stunning NFL exit route
Shedeur Sanders’ dramatic NFL Draft slide is set to dominate conversations heading into the 2025 season. The Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, once projected to be a top pick, was the story of NFL Draft weekend until he was eventually taken off the board in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns. Sanders, once projected to be a top draft pick, went 144th overallGetty Cleveland, who had already selected fellow signal caller Dillon Gabriel from the Oregon Ducks in the third, shocked many with their decision to take Sanders with the 144th overall pick. Across the NFL, five other QBs were taken before Sanders, too and the conversation around why he fell so far has centred on his ability, his performance at the Scouting Combine and the level of celebrity father Deion brings with him. Cam Ward went first overall to the Tennessee Titans, and he was followed in the first round by Jaxson Dart, who went to the New York Giants. Tyler Shough was then the first QB drafted in the second round, picked by the New Orleans Saints, before Jalen Milroe was taken by the Seattle Seahawks in round three. While Sanders may come out of the draft with a bruised ego, having also been on the end of a ‘rotten’ prank on Day 2, he has a chance to prove the doubters wrong in the NFL. And that’s something that Tom Brady knows a little bit about. The legendary quarterback, who won a record seven Super Bowls during his iconic career, entered the league as the 199th pick of the 2000 draft. He also became something of a mentor to Shedeur growing up due to his friendship with Deion Sanders Brady turned his evaluations into motivation as he became arguably the greatest of all-time, and according to his Fox Sports colleague Michael Strahan, he believes Sanders can do the same. Speaking on Good Morning America this week, Strahan said: “Shedeur Sanders, I don’t think this kid should have dropped to the fifth round. Brady believes Sanders can use his draft slide as motivation for his careerGetty Sanders will hope to win the starting position with the Browns in 2025, but has competitionGetty “I spent time with Tom Brady this past weekend. We watched the draft. “Tom said, ‘He’s an example — it doesn’t matter where you’re picked.’ “Economically, it may have hurt (Sanders). But career-wise, it didn’t. “I think the kid is going to be a great player.” While Sanders has been backed to prove the doubters wrong, if things don’t go his way, he appears to have already be offered an NFL escape route. According to Justin Dunk of 3DownNation, the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League have placed Shedeur on their exclusive negotiation list. Shedeur, son of Hall of Famer Deion, has already been offered an NFL exit routeGetty That means if the QB ever decides to play in the CFL, Toronto would have the advantage in signing him. CFL rules allow teams to have 45 players on their negotiation lists, giving them exclusive rights if any of those stars choose to play in Canada. Sanders, however, has already made clear his desire to shine in the NFL. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity throughout everything. I don’t ever focus on a negative or even think about the negative because the positive happened so fast. “For me, it’s playing quarterback, that’s what it’s about… it’s time to work, it’s time to go. “Talent is everywhere throughout the draft, it’s just about being picked and who sees your value. “I’ve got to prove and show what I’m capable of.” Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our NFL Facebook page, subscribe to our talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more.
Shedeur Sanders’ dramatic NFL Draft slide is set to dominate conversations heading into the 2025 season.
The Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, once projected to be a top pick, was the story of NFL Draft weekend until he was eventually taken off the board in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland, who had already selected fellow signal caller Dillon Gabriel from the Oregon Ducks in the third, shocked many with their decision to take Sanders with the 144th overall pick.
Across the NFL, five other QBs were taken before Sanders, too and the conversation around why he fell so far has centred on his ability, his performance at the Scouting Combine and the level of celebrity father Deion brings with him.
Cam Ward went first overall to the Tennessee Titans, and he was followed in the first round by Jaxson Dart, who went to the New York Giants.
Tyler Shough was then the first QB drafted in the second round, picked by the New Orleans Saints, before Jalen Milroe was taken by the Seattle Seahawks in round three.
While Sanders may come out of the draft with a bruised ego, having also been on the end of a ‘rotten’ prank on Day 2, he has a chance to prove the doubters wrong in the NFL.
And that’s something that Tom Brady knows a little bit about.
The legendary quarterback, who won a record seven Super Bowls during his iconic career, entered the league as the 199th pick of the 2000 draft.
He also became something of a mentor to Shedeur growing up due to his friendship with Deion Sanders
Brady turned his evaluations into motivation as he became arguably the greatest of all-time, and according to his Fox Sports colleague Michael Strahan, he believes Sanders can do the same.
Speaking on Good Morning America this week, Strahan said: “Shedeur Sanders, I don’t think this kid should have dropped to the fifth round.
“I spent time with Tom Brady this past weekend. We watched the draft.
“Tom said, ‘He’s an example — it doesn’t matter where you’re picked.’
“Economically, it may have hurt (Sanders). But career-wise, it didn’t.
“I think the kid is going to be a great player.”
While Sanders has been backed to prove the doubters wrong, if things don’t go his way, he appears to have already be offered an NFL escape route.
According to Justin Dunk of 3DownNation, the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League have placed Shedeur on their exclusive negotiation list.
That means if the QB ever decides to play in the CFL, Toronto would have the advantage in signing him.
CFL rules allow teams to have 45 players on their negotiation lists, giving them exclusive rights if any of those stars choose to play in Canada.
Sanders, however, has already made clear his desire to shine in the NFL.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity throughout everything. I don’t ever focus on a negative or even think about the negative because the positive happened so fast.
“For me, it’s playing quarterback, that’s what it’s about… it’s time to work, it’s time to go.
“Talent is everywhere throughout the draft, it’s just about being picked and who sees your value.
“I’ve got to prove and show what I’m capable of.”
Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our NFL Facebook page, subscribe to our talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more.
