Browns trade up, pick QB Shedeur Sanders in 5th round of NFL draft - ESPN

Shedeur Sanders' surprising slide into Day 3 of the NFL draft has ended.

The Cleveland Browns traded up with the Seattle Seahawks to select Sanders with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round Saturday. Cleveland gave Seattle its 166th and 192nd picks.

After being selected, Sanders posted to X: «Thank you GOD.»

Shilo and Shedeur dancing after Shedeur got drafted by the Cleveland Browns.

(via shilosanders/Twitch) pic.twitter.com/qPrVXCoF4c

«I would say I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity throughout everything,» Sanders said during a conference call with local reporters. «I don't ever focus on the negative or even think about the negative because the positive happened so fast and it's a change of emotions. For me, it was just playing quarterback. That's what it's about. You can't be up, too low or anything. You got to be able to celebrate. And when we score a touchdown, we celebrate for a little bit. Now it's back to time to work, it's time to go.»

The Browns were linked to Sanders after spending extensive time with him throughout the draft process but ultimately passed on him multiple times. Cleveland traded back with the Jacksonville Jaguars from its No. 2 slot to No. 5, getting a trade package that included the 36th pick (which the team used on running back Quinshon Judkins) and a 2026 first-round pick. Cleveland selected defensive tackle Mason Graham with the fifth overall pick.

The Browns passed on Sanders again at the end of the third round, selecting quarterback Dillon Gabriel with the 94th pick. When asked why the team opted not to go with Sanders, general manager Andrew Berry on Friday night noted that there were four rounds remaining and that he remained impressed with Sanders. A team source said that