Context:

Shedeur Sanders' unexpected drop to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft was a major talking point, with the Cleveland Browns ultimately trading up to select him with the 144th pick. At the Browns' rookie minicamp, head coach Kevin Stefanski evaluated both Sanders and fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, noting their impressive transition from pre-draft meetings to on-field performance. With Deshaun Watson likely sidelined for the season due to an Achilles injury, the competition for the starting quarterback position is wide open. Despite his draft slide, Sanders has a realistic opportunity to start in Week 1 if he continues to perform well. Stefanski's positive remarks suggest a successful start for the rookie quarterbacks at minicamp, highlighting their readiness and potential impact on the team.

Dive Deeper:

• Shedeur Sanders, once expected to be a first-round pick, surprisingly fell to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL draft, where the Cleveland Browns traded up to pick him at number 144.

• At the Browns' rookie minicamp, head coach Kevin Stefanski praised Sanders and fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel for their ability to translate their pre-draft preparations into effective on-field performances.

• The Browns' quarterback depth chart includes Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett, but with Watson potentially missing the entire 2025 season due to a re-ruptured Achilles, the starting position is up for grabs.

• Sanders' drop in the draft does not diminish his chances of starting in the upcoming season, as his performance at minicamp could position him as a strong candidate for the starting role.

• Stefanski's feedback after the first day of minicamp was positive, indicating that both Sanders and Gabriel showed promising signs of readiness and adaptation to the NFL level.

• The Browns' investment in both rookie quarterbacks reflects their strategic planning for the future, especially given the uncertainty surrounding their current quarterback lineup.

• Owen Crisafulli, the author, is a freelance writer for The Sporting News with a strong background in sports management and a passion for discussing sports-related topics, particularly regarding Boston's major professional teams.

• Shedeur Sanders' status with the Cleveland Browns has been a big topic of discussion after he fell to them all the way in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft. On Friday, folks got their first look at Sanders in a Browns uniform at rookie minicamp, and in the wake of the action, head coach Kevin Stefanski weighed in on the rookie passer.

• The dominating headline throughout the 2025 draft was Sanders' stunning slide down the board, as he went from being widely expected to get selected in the first round to being available in the fifth round. The Browns finally pounced, trading up with the Philadelphia Eagles to select Sanders with the No. 144 pick.

• Sanders isn't the only rookie quarterback in town, as the Browns also used a third-round pick on Dillon Gabriel. Both guys got their first taste of minicamp on Friday, and after the session concluded, Stefanski weighed in on what he saw from both Sanders and Gabriel.

• "I think the fun part is we've spent so much pre-draft time with these players, particularly when we're talking about our quarterbacks with Dillon and Shedeur," Stefanski said per Scott Petrak of The Chronicle Telegram.

• "We spent meeting time with them out of this building, we've taken them through walkthroughs, and then they get to go do it in uniform with the helmets on and just see what they can take from the meeting room to the grass, and I thought both guys did a nice job."

• Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on the rookie QBs’ first day. W pic.twitter.com/YghI7jK7h6

• — Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) May 9, 2025 In addition to both Sanders and Gabriel, the Browns have Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett on their quarterback depth chart. Watson, the team's presumed starter, is expected to miss potentially the entire 2025 campaign after he re-ruptured his Achilles back in January, meaning the starting QB gig is wide open for the taking.

• So even though Sanders fell all the way to the fifth round, he could still conceivably start come Week 1. Getting off on the right foot during rookie minicamp is important, and according to Stefanski, it sounds like the first day of action was a success.