Shedeur Sanders NFL draft rumors: NFL analyst links Colorado's QB to AFC team after eye-catching season with CU

The Colorado Buffaloes had a strong season in coach Deion Sanders' second year, finishing 9-4 and earning a bowl game appearance. Although they lost 36-14 to BYU in the Alamo Bowl, the season was a success compared to their 4-8 record last year. Much of the favorable outcome was because of their cornerstone players, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.

Sanders threw for 4,134 yards on 74% accuracy, 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and four rushing scores, which led to him being named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. The QB is looking to parlay his success into a high draft pick.

Numerous draft boards are projecting him to be the first quarterback taken in the 2025 NFL draft. With three of the bottom five teams in the NFL standings in the market for a QB, Sanders’ suitors will come knocking in droves.

One pundit, Ian Valentino, is projecting Sanders to go to a particular AFC team, the Cleveland Browns, who finished the regular season at 3-14 and are assured of a top-three pick.

In his article, Valentino described how the QB fits in with Cleveland:

"Shedeur Sanders is well-equipped to maximize Kevin Stefanski's offense on Day 1 and get the Browns back to the playoffs. His playmaking, high football IQ, and accuracy will translate to the NFL, and getting the Browns into a perennial playoff team would make him a legend."

---

Shedeur Sanders' potential fit in Cleveland

The Browns have coach Kevin Stefanski who is an offensive whiz and would love to have a dynamic quarterback for the first time in his young coaching career.

Shedeur Sanders would also have a few solid weapons around him, including running back Nick Chubb and serviceable receivers like Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku. They could fill their lineup by drafting a couple more weapons later in the draft, but the base for a solid system would be there for Sanders.

Cleveland still has a wrinkle with their quarterback, Deshaun Watson, but he has not proven to be a reliable option. Watson posted pedestrian numbers of 1,148 yards on 63.4% accuracy along with five touchdowns and three interceptions in seven games in 2024, and he has only played in 19 games in three seasons because of injuries and his suspension.