Shedeur Sanders’ camp told Ravens he didn’t want to be drafted to a Lamar Jackson roster, report says
Baltimore planned to take the Colorado quarterback in the fifth round but passed after Sanders’ representatives objected; Cleveland traded up to select him at No. 144
The Baltimore Ravens had penciled Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders for their fifth-round pick at No. 141 in the 2025 NFL draft, but Sanders’ camp told the team he did not want to join a roster with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter said Sunday. Baltimore instead selected offensive lineman Carson Vinson, and the Cleveland Browns traded up to take Sanders three picks later at No. 144.
The report adds that Sanders, who tumbled from early-round projections into the later rounds, attempted to exert influence on his draft destination even as he slid. Sanders once was projected as a potential top-two pick coming out of Colorado, where his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, is head coach.
Sanders entered the NFL offseason with high expectations after a decorated college career, but his draft fall left questions about his immediate role. The Browns listed Sanders as their No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart behind veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel after trading Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders in August. Cleveland’s move to trade up and select Sanders reflects the team’s interest in his long-term potential despite his low draft position.
Sanders showed flashes in preseason activity. He delivered a strong debut with the Browns’ first preseason appearance but did not play in the following game because of an oblique injury. In the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, Sanders completed three of six passes for 14 yards and was sacked five times, prompting fuller evaluation by Cleveland’s coaching staff.
The Ravens and Browns met Sunday in Week 2, a game in which Baltimore led Cleveland 10-0 late in the second quarter. Sanders, who remained behind Flacco and Gabriel on the depth chart, watched from the sideline. His position on the roster and readiness for regular-season action will remain under scrutiny as the Browns balance veteran starters and rookie development.
Baltimore’s decision to move off the planned pick came amid the team’s commitment to Jackson, a two-time MVP and franchise cornerstone. Jackson, whose presence at quarterback reduces immediate openings for a rookie to compete for a starting job, has been central to Baltimore’s offensive plans since he won the league MVP.
The episode underscores the modern dynamics of the draft, where prospects and their representatives increasingly try to influence landing spots. Sanders’ slide and Cleveland’s willingness to trade up to acquire him preserve the Browns’ control of his early-career development, while Baltimore’s selection of a lineman reflects a choice to avoid a roster situation the team viewed as untenable for a rookie quarterback.
Schefter reported the developments Sunday. The Browns’ depth chart, Sanders’ preseason performances and the ongoing evaluation of his readiness will shape whether he eventually moves up the pecking order or remains a developmental option behind established veterans.