The Cleveland Browns selected Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the 144th pick in the fifth round of the NFL draft on Saturday, a surprising fall for a player once projected as a first-rounder.

Sanders, expected to go as high as No. 3 to the Giants or No. 21 to the Steelers, went undrafted on the first two nights before Cleveland called his name. He was picked after quarterbacks Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel. Minutes after being drafted, Sanders posted on X, writing, “Thank you GOD.”

The Browns celebrated the selection with a highlight reel, calling Sanders “another playmaker in the mix.” Executive VP and GM Andrew Berry described him as “a highly accurate pocket passer who takes care of the ball” and expressed excitement about working with him.

Sanders enters a crowded quarterback room that already includes veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well as fellow draft pick Dillon Gabriel. Entering Saturday, Sanders was ranked the best prospect still available by NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers, sitting at No. 30 on his draft board.

The son of NFL Hall of Famer and Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur began his college career at Jackson State before transferring to Colorado in 2022. In his senior season, he completed 74.0% of his passes for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Sanders played a pivotal role in Colorado’s turnaround, helping the Buffaloes jump from a one-win season to nine victories, their best record since 2016. Despite his on-field success, pre-draft discussions often focused on concerns about his off-field character, with some scouts and coaches questioning his attitude.