Importance Score: 70 / 100 🔴
Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft Drop Boosts League Viewership
Shedeur Sanders’ path to the NFL as a quarterback may be uncertain, but he is already demonstrating his marketability for the most profitable sports league globally. Despite initial projections as a potential first-round selection, the former Colorado standout and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was eventually chosen by the Cleveland Browns as the 144th pick in the recent NFL Draft.
Draft Day Drama Drives Ratings
The NFL appears to have benefited from Sanders’ slide from a projected early pick to the third day of the draft. According to an official statement, the second and third rounds averaged 7.3 million viewers on Friday night, a considerable surge, marking a 40% increase compared to 2024. This figure represents the second-largest Day 2 audience in NFL history, albeit with the caveat that a two-day draft format was in place before 2010, limiting long-term comparisons.
- Increased Viewership: A 40% rise in viewership for the second and third rounds.
- Historical Context: Second-highest Day 2 audience ever recorded by the NFL.
From First-Round Expectations to Fifth-Round Reality
Sanders had previously exhibited considerable confidence in his standing among incoming NFL quarterbacks, declining to participate in workouts at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. He even prepared a stage for a Thursday night draft celebration, leaving attendees waiting as he remained unselected.
The situation worsened on Friday when Sanders received a prank call from the son of an Atlanta Falcons assistant coach, who pretended to be his new team’s representative. Ultimately, Sanders was selected by the Browns – a team already possessing an ample quarterback roster, including veterans and Deshaun Watson, who is recovering from injury.
First Round Success Despite Sanders’ Absence
The initial round of coverage attracted an average of 13.6 million viewers across television and digital platforms, according to data acquired by the NFL and Nielsen. This signifies not only an 11% climb, but furthermore stands as the second-most viewed first round on record, exceeded only by the 2020 draft held during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Competition Awaits in Cleveland
Sanders now faces competition from veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, in addition to fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, for playing time in coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive scheme. General Manager Andrew Berry reinforced this point during a press conference, highlighting the competitive nature of the Browns’ quarterback depth chart.
Berry’s Perspective on Drafting Sanders
‘I think Shedeur has grown up in the spotlight,’ said Berry, referring to the second-generation NFL player. ‘But our expectation is for him to come in here and work and compete.’
While some fans have debated Berry’s enthusiasm for the pick, he articulated the team’s rationale for drafting Sanders after passing on him during the earlier rounds.
‘We live by our board, and we felt like he was a good solid prospect at the most important position,’ Berry stated. ‘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.’
Sanders’ Determination to Prove Himself
Sanders conveyed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to prove himself while acclimating to the NFL.
‘I’ve just got to prove and show what I’m capable of,’ Sanders told local media. ‘But what fuels me is my purpose in life and understanding the route that we’re going to have to take… I was able to get an opportunity when a lot of people didn’t want to give me an opportunity. So that’s what I’m truly thankful for. So that’s what fuels me.’
Staying Grounded After the Draft
Sanders understandably expressed relief at being drafted, but projected a focused approach.
‘That’s what it’s about,’ he said. ‘You can’t be up too low or anything. You got to be able to celebrate. When we score a touchdown, we celebrate for a little bit and now it’s back to, it’s time to work, it’s time to go. All it is, is a football game to me, and that’s how I view it.’
‘Nothing really affected me the last couple of days,’ he added. ‘I’m blessed. I know I have to clean up some things in my game. The main thing is proving Stefanski and Mr. Berry right about picking me.’
When asked about reports suggesting that subpar team interviews factored into his draft descent, Sanders shifted his focus to his opportunity in Cleveland.
‘I think what happened was I had a great interview and a great process with the Browns and that’s why they were able to pick me,’ he said. ‘Anything outside the organization is really a non-factor to me now. This is my focus.’
Reactions in the Browns’ War Room
Leading up to the press conferences, some viewers noticed seemingly impassive expressions within the Browns’ draft room.
While there was some customary celebratory applause, some observers noted a lack of enthusiasm from Stefanski and Berry. Some online commentators speculated whether the team felt compelled to draft Sanders.
The Browns’ decision to select two quarterbacks in this year’s draft – Sanders and former Oregon Ducks star Dillon Gabriel (the 94th overall pick) – further fueled the speculation.
Considering the team’s offseason acquisitions (40-year-old Joe Flacco and 26-year-old Kenny Pickett), in addition to the presence of injured Deshaun Watson, the Browns now have a crowded quarterback roster.
‘It wasn’t necessarily the plan going into the weekend to select two quarterbacks,’ Berry told reporters. ‘But you know we do believe in best player available and positional value. And you know we didn’t necessarily expect [Sanders] to be available in the fifth round.’
Given that the Browns, like every team in the NFL, passed up several opportunities to draft Sanders, Berry’s apparent eagerness to trade up in the fifth round seemed questionable to some observers.
Several fans online insinuated that Browns owner was behind the decision, thus putting an end to Shedeur Sanders’ three-day slide.
Some fans believed Berry’s reaction was explainable, suggesting that Sanders, as a late-round pick, shouldn’t warrant effusive celebration.
Others felt that even a simple smile would have been more appropriate.
Both Stefanski and Berry downplayed these concerns when questioned by Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
‘I asked #Browns Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry about this clip,’ Cabot posted. ‘Stefanski said not to read into it and that the video doesn’t always time up with the actual making of the pick.’