When Shedeur Sanders fell all the way to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it was a shocking turn of events for a player once projected as a potential first-round pick. The Cleveland Browns scooped him up at No. 147 — but early signs from Berea suggest that his pro journey is off to a rocky start.
Sanders has been described as “fine” during Cleveland’s offseason program — not exactly the kind of praise that inspires confidence in a team desperate for quarterback stability.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants, who passed on Sanders multiple times, appear to have made the smarter move by selecting Jaxson Dart — the Ole Miss product they believe can be their long-term answer under center.
A Tough Road Ahead for Sanders in Cleveland
It’s no secret that the Browns are in full rebuild mode — and that includes the quarterback room.
Sanders entered a crowded mix that already features:
- Dillon Gabriel (2025 third-round pick)
- Kenny Pickett (former first-round selection)
And now, according to a new mock draft by Pro Football Sports Network, Cleveland could be moving on from Sanders as soon as next year, replacing him with none other than Arch Manning at No. 1 overall.
“Projected as the 2026 class’s most coveted prospect… Arch Manning could end up the consensus No. 1 pick sooner rather than later.”
That’s not just speculation — it’s a warning sign for Sanders: if he doesn’t separate himself quickly, he may not even make it through Year 1 as the face of the franchise.
Unlike Dart, who was drafted to be the future and given every chance to grow into the role, Sanders is viewed as a low-cost experiment — one easily discarded if better options come along.
Giants Made the Right Call Going with Dart Over Sanders
Back in April, the Giants had two clear quarterback options: go with the flashy name in Shedeur Sanders, or take the polished college starter in Jaxson Dart.
They chose Dart — and so far, that decision looks more justified.
While Sanders struggles to stand out in Cleveland, Dart has impressed coaches with his football IQ, leadership, and grasp of Brian Daboll’s system.
The Giants didn’t just draft him to sit — they picked him to develop, protect, and eventually hand the keys over to him.
And unlike Cleveland, New York isn’t in a rush to move on from its young QB.
Daboll recently praised Dart’s progress:
“He’s done everything we’ve asked of him. He’s very coachable, very sharp. He’s earned the right to compete.”
That kind of vote of confidence is something Sanders hasn’t received yet — and may not get anytime soon.
Why Sanders Needs a Breakout Rookie Season — And Soon
For all the hype surrounding Sanders coming out of Colorado, expectations were high, and his fall to the fifth round raised serious questions about his readiness for the pros.
Now, he faces an uphill battle:
- Battling older veterans and newer picks
- Competing in a QB room with no real loyalty
- Proving he belongs before the Browns look elsewhere in 2026
If he fails to win the starting job this year — or even show consistent growth — there’s little reason to believe Cleveland will stick with him long term.
Sanders needs to do more than just survive — he needs to dominate.
But early reports don’t suggest that’s happening.
What This Means for the Giants’ QB Future?
For the Giants, watching Sanders struggle while Dart thrives only reinforces the belief that they made the right call.
They wanted a quarterback with:
- A strong understanding of timing-based passing concepts
- Experience managing a pro-style offense
- Mental toughness and adaptability
Dart checks all those boxes.
Sanders, despite his pedigree and name recognition, still has to prove he can thrive outside of the spotlight and perform consistently in a structured environment.
And with the Browns already eyeing Arch Manning in 2026, Sanders might not even get a full season to prove himself.
Final Takeaway: The Giants Dodged a Bullet — For Now
Shedeur Sanders falling to the fifth round was a red flag.
His early performance in Cleveland? Another one.
While it’s still early, the writing is on the wall — the Browns aren’t fully committed to him, and unless he makes them change their minds, he could be gone before he ever gets comfortable.
On the flip side, Jaxson Dart is getting every opportunity to grow and lead the Giants forward — and so far, he’s making the most of it.
In hindsight, the Giants didn’t just make a smart pick — they avoided a potentially costly mistake.
And as the dust settles on the 2025 draft class, it’s looking more and more like Big Blue made the better choice.
