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Shedeur Sanders reveals his takeaway from the advice that Tom Brady handed him after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated May 12, 2025 9:31 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders can’t change anything about the NFL Draft process now that it’s over. Despite many believing he was a first- or second-round talent, the reality is he was selected in the fifth round.

With the Browns drafting two quarterbacks—one in the third round and one in the fifth—neither is guaranteed a roster spot. Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will be battling it out for a place on the team.

NFL legend and former star quarterback Tom Brady offered Sanders some advice after his unexpected fall in the draft. Brady himself was a late-round pick, making him the perfect person to offer perspective. Sanders was asked over the weekend what he took away from that conversation.

“That my story is going to be similar,” Sanders said. “I was a late-round draft pick, but we’re here now, so none of that stuff matters. That just mattered on the day, and I’m just excited to be here and ready to work.”

Sanders will have a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job alongside Gabriel, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett. Deshaun Watson is expected to spend the season on injured reserve as he recovers from an Achilles injury, though the Browns have not officially confirmed that.

Cleveland may ultimately have to choose between keeping one of the rookies or finding a way to retain both on the final depth chart. The Browns felt they couldn’t pass up the value Sanders offered in the fifth round—it surprised many that the Colorado product was still available that late.

Sanders wanted an opportunity, and now he has one with the Browns even if it came later in the draft than he expected. What the talented quarterback does with that opportunity is entirely up to him.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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