Shedeur Sanders, once considered a potential top-five pick, saw his NFL journey take an unexpected turn when the Cleveland Browns selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Despite the slip, Sanders has impressed during the Browns’ rookie minicamp, drawing praise for his standout performance. FOX NFL insider LeSean McCoy, a former NFL running back, praised Sanders’ confidence, signaling he’s not aiming to be a backup.
LeSean McCoy Praises Shedeur Sanders, Says Colorado QB Plans To Start Day 1
Shedeur Sanders’ fall to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft was a surprise to many, especially since most mock drafts had him projected as a first-round pick.
Despite the unexpected drop, the former Colorado quarterback has kept his focus and worked relentlessly to prove his worth. LeSean McCoy believes Sanders’ mindset has been key to his early success rookie minicamp.
McCoy, speaking on FS1’s The Facility, shared insights from his sources, noting Sanders’ impressive play.
.@CutOnDime25 believes Shedeur Sanders will start early this season:
"You learn to be the best in everything that you do. His mindset ain’t to be a backup.” pic.twitter.com/iO82n2aDfZ
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) May 12, 2025
“I got my sources…and they told me… that he looks like the best player out of the whole camp, [and he’s a] fifth-rounder,” McCoy said. “If you look at Shedeur Sanders, his mindset ain’t to be in no backup role with [the Browns]. He’s in there to start.”
However, Sanders faces stiff competition for the starting role. The Browns already have four other quarterbacks on the roster: Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Despite being the fifth quarterback listed, Sanders has already shown enough promise in OTAs and rookie minicamp to potentially earn first-team reps as training camp approaches.
McCoy highlighted Sanders’ focus and commitment, adding, “He looks way more focused, but even [with] the focus he looks like himself. Ain’t nothing changed about Shedeur.”
McCoy went on to predict that Sanders would be starting sooner rather than later.
“He’s gonna take some time, but he’s gonna start, and he’s gonna start early this year… The biggest part of why he will start early this year is because [you’re] in a room full of dudes that were struggling to throw against any other team,” he explained.
“Imagine having Joe Flacco starting at quarterback. Where y’all going?… Who’s happy about that?” he jokingly asked.
While McCoy doesn’t think Sanders will start immediately, he believes it won’t take long.
“When you ask me who’s gonna start, it’s like, yeah, [he’s] gonna start; maybe not Week 1, but [you’re] going against guys that [are] not really starters,” McCoy said.
Sanders himself remains confident despite being the sixth quarterback selected. At the Browns’ rookie minicamp, he emphasized his determination.
“My aim here isn’t to disprove anyone,” Sanders said. “It’s about affirming my own abilities. I have complete faith in myself.”
Sanders dismissed his draft position, noting, “I may have been a late-round pick, but that’s in the past. What matters is that I’m here now. I’m thrilled to be a part of this and ready to put in the work.”
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