After Shedeur Sanders was selected in the fifth round, it was said that nobody would be happier than ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. Whether that’s true or not, we don’t know for sure. However, we do know that he was impressed by the Cleveland Browns’ current roster.
After selecting Sanders with the No. 144 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns now have five quarterbacks on their team.
Mel Kiper Jr. Praises Browns’ Full Draft Class, Not Just Shedeur Sanders
The Browns had one of the most successful drafts in 2025, earning an A+ grade from Kiper Jr. While a lot of the buzz came from their selection of Sanders, it wasn’t just about him.
Mel Kiper’s draft grade for the Browns pic.twitter.com/ojKIXPw7vK
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He praised the Browns for building a strong quarterback room, now stacked with five solid players, even if some are still rookies.
Kiper also praised the Browns’ decision to trade back from the No. 2 pick. This move helped them secure Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, while also adding a 2026 first-round pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kiper saw this as a smart, long-term move, especially considering the Jaguars’ struggles, which could make that future pick highly valuable.
However, the ESPN expert later admitted he was a little biased when it came to Sanders’ pick. He explained, “The other main reason I gave the Browns an A+ shouldn’t be a surprise. They got quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 144 to finish their seven-pick draft.”
Kiper added, “He was my No. 5 overall prospect in the class and clear QB1… I believe we will look back on this pick in a few years and question what the rest of the NFL was doing.”
Besides Sanders, the Browns made other strong picks, too. They added UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger, Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins, and Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. These players filled key gaps and made the Browns even stronger on both sides of the ball.
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