After a surprisingly long wait, Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders selected by Cleveland Browns in 5th round

CNN - Apr 26th, 2025
Open on CNN

On the third day of the NFL draft, Shedeur Sanders, quarterback from the University of Colorado, was chosen by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round. This selection came as a surprise to many, as Sanders, the 2024 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, was anticipated to be picked earlier due to his impressive collegiate performance. Despite the delay, Sanders expressed gratitude and positivity through social media. His brother, Deion Sanders Jr., shared a video capturing Shedeur's reaction, describing the draft slide as 'unexplainable.' Throughout the draft, five quarterbacks were selected before Sanders, including Cam Ward and Jaxon Dart, who went in the first round.

The story of Shedeur Sanders is notable not only for his draft position but also for his journey through college football under the coaching of his father, Deion Sanders. After starting his college career at Jackson State University, he followed his father to the University of Colorado, where he led his team to a 9-4 record last season. His prolific performance, including 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns, earned him an eighth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting. This unexpected draft delay could have significant implications for Sanders' professional career, yet his positive outlook suggests readiness to embrace new opportunities with the Browns.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and timely report on Shedeur Sanders' selection in the NFL draft, accurately presenting key facts and personal reactions. The narrative is engaging and relevant to sports fans, though it could benefit from more explicit sourcing and expert analysis to enhance credibility and depth. While the story effectively highlights Sanders' achievements and draft experience, it lacks transparency in sourcing and does not fully explore potential controversies or broader implications. Overall, the article is informative and accessible, with room for improvement in source quality and analytical depth.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports that Shedeur Sanders was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round of the NFL draft. This claim is supported by external sources. The article correctly states Sanders' accolades, including being named the 2024 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and his college statistics, such as his 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. However, the story lacks detailed attribution for some claims, such as the pre-draft expectations and the specific reasons for his draft slide, which are more speculative in nature. Overall, the factual basis of the article is strong, but it could benefit from more explicit citations for certain claims.

7
Balance

The story provides a balanced view of Shedeur Sanders' draft experience by including both his achievements and the unexpected nature of his draft position. It highlights his positive attitude despite the delay in being drafted and provides context on other quarterbacks selected before him, which helps to present a broader picture of the draft dynamics. However, the article could improve by including perspectives from NFL scouts or analysts to provide a more comprehensive understanding of why Sanders was selected later than anticipated. This would help address any potential biases or gaps in the narrative.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a coherent narrative of Sanders' draft experience. It effectively communicates the key events and Sanders' reactions, maintaining a neutral and informative tone throughout. The use of direct quotes from Sanders adds authenticity and helps convey his perspective. However, the article could enhance clarity by providing more context on the significance of the draft position and the implications for Sanders' career, which would help readers better understand the story's importance.

6
Source quality

The article does not provide explicit sources for its claims, which affects the perceived credibility of the information. Although the story aligns with known facts about Sanders' draft position and college career, the lack of direct attribution to interviews, official statements, or credible news outlets limits the overall quality of the sources. Incorporating quotes or insights from authoritative sources, such as NFL executives or sports analysts, would enhance the article's reliability and depth.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and methodology. It does not clearly indicate where the information comes from or how the conclusions were drawn, particularly regarding the draft expectations and Sanders' personal reactions. While the story does mention Sanders' social media posts, it does not provide direct links or detailed context for these statements. Greater transparency in the reporting process and clearer disclosure of sources would improve the article's credibility and trustworthiness.

Sources

  1. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44869917/browns-trade-pick-qb-shedeur-sanders-5th-round-nfl-draft
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoFG9wxGR-M
  3. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/shedeur-sanders-drafted-by-browns-in-round-5-colorado-qb-finally-selected-with-pick-no-144/
  4. https://tanden-bleekset.nl/hr/32473403-sinhala-wal-katha-ammai-puthai.html