Shedeur Sanders is at the center of the storm surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback is being discussed as a potential franchise-changing talent, with the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans all reportedly in the mix.
Andrew Hawkins Believes Shedeur Sanders To Become Browns’ Franchise QB
Former NFL wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, who played for the Browns (2014-2016), weighed in on the Sanders conundrum. Speaking on NFL Network, Hawkins made it clear that he’s a big fan of the 22-year-old’s talent.
“I like Shedeur Sanders as a talent. He has the arm strength and a feel for the game. He’s a guy used to building programs. You saw what he did at Jackson State. He went to Colorado when they were a one-win team when he and Prime Time got there. That bodes well,” Hawkins said.
He then added, “This is a guy that doesn’t rattle with pressure. He’s the son of the best athlete in the history of the world. All those things point to a quarterback who’s primed (no pun intended) for the moment.”
Boasting almost 7,000 passing yards and 70 touchdowns at Jackson State before transferring to Colorado, Sanders has proven he can deliver under pressure. His 2024 CFB season stats — 4,100+ passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and a 74% completion rate — further show that he’s not a one-season wonder and can perform consistently.
“All those things point to a quarterback that feels like he's 'primed'—no pun intended—for the moment.”@Hawk discusses why he likes the idea of Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland 👀 pic.twitter.com/TGqP2ZJeST
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 29, 2025
The biggest question mark? Whether Cleveland is the destination Sanders and his father, Coach Prime, would be comfortable with. The Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick, and GM Andrew Berry has tried to quiet concerns, saying, “I don’t anticipate that being a problem. Shedeur is a really impressive young man. He’s poised, he’s calm, he’s smart, and you can tell that he’s been raised by — quite honestly — a Hall of Fame dad.”
However, with Cleveland’s long history of quarterback struggles, some believe Deion won’t allow his son to be another name on that list. Since 1999, the Browns have cycled through 40 different starting quarterbacks, and their $240 million gamble on Deshaun Watson has yet to pay off.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants are lurking as a potential landing spot. Reports indicate that New York sent a large group of staff to meet with Sanders at the Shrine Bowl.
Insider Tony Grossi speculated that the Browns could leverage their pick to pressure the Giants into a trade-up scenario. “If they can convince the Giants that they have serious interest in Sanders, New York might have to give up a bigger package to move up,” Grossi said.
With the 2025 NFL Draft set in April, Cleveland have their work cut out. They have to decide whether it’s best to take a bet on Sanders as their next franchise quarterback or to use their pick to gain leverage.