LeSean McCoy Trusts Shedeur Sanders to Bag Browns’ QB1 Job After Horrendous Draft Snub

LeSean McCoy believes Shedeur Sanders can beat intense competition and win the Browns’ QB1 job despite falling to the fifth round.

LeSean McCoy Trusts Shedeur Sanders to Bag Browns’ QB1 Job After Horrendous Draft Snub

LeSean McCoy, Shedeur Sanders (Image via Getty Images/Chicago Tribune)

LeSean McCoy has expressed strong belief in former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders following his surprising fall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders dropped to the fifth round despite two productive seasons as Colorado’s starting quarterback and his huge media presence.

NFL teams passed repeatedly, citing concerns unrelated to his on-field performance. Eventually, the Cleveland Browns added Sanders as their second QB pick from the draft behind Oregon Ducks’ Dillon Gabriel. Nevertheless, the rookie has since used Browns minicamp to immediately shift the narrative.

Sanders had quickly impressed over three days in Berea, sharing first-team reps with fellow rookie Gabriel. He showed accuracy, leadership, and pocket awareness that had once placed him among early-round projections.

Cleveland’s staff reportedly tracked his improvement closely throughout the weekend. His presence on and off the field appeared to set a different tone. With four quarterbacks competing, Shedeur Sanders didn’t have any advantage to start coming season start.

Sanders has stood out through his approach and body language during drills. Gabriel had performed steadily, but Sanders seemed more composed and consistent across all three days.

LeSean McCoy noted that he was the best player of the whole camp with enough qualities to be starter.

“You learn to be the best in everything that you do. His mindset ain’t to be a backup.” McCoy said on FS1’s Speak

McCoy’s praise followed a broader wave of support from players and analysts who watched Shedeur at Colorado. His 2023 TCU performance, when he passed for over 500 yards, had made national headlines. But despite those moments, teams overlooked him in favor of quarterbacks with fewer starts and lower competition. That draft snub, as Tom Brady said, only added fuel to Sanders’ fire.

As camp continues, Sanders will need to beat out Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Gabriel for a roster spot. Head coach Kevin Stefanski will use summer reps to evaluate game-readiness, leadership, and consistency. If Sanders keeps his current pace, McCoy’s prediction could hold.

Every team waited and the Browns walked away winning with Shedeur Sanders in tow

The Cleveland Browns might have found their franchise quarterback in the late round with lesser financial restraint. How did the Browns, however, end up with Sanders and that too at the 155th pick.

Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders (Image via AP)

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller offered an oddly simple, yet believable explanation: “I just think every team thought someone else would do it.”

In short, Sanders may have been a victim of the league’s version of the bystander effect. Teams assumed his value was obvious, and that someone ahead of them would pull the trigger. But they didn’t not even the Browns, initially. Cleveland passed on him once, taking Dillon Gabriel in the third round before grabbing Sanders at No. 144.

Other possible reasons could have compounded the issue. But the numbers don’t lie, Sanders had a pre-draft grade of 87. Players taken around him had grades in the 40s. Statistically, it was a heist.

He might not have been the first pick or even the Browns’ first QB pick but if this start is any indication, he could be the one who ends up starting Week 1.

In a recent appearance on Cleveland Browns Daily, Sanders made his approach clear and direct.

“I work hard, and I love the game of football. That’s all you really need to know. I ain’t disrespectful. I don’t have off-the-field problems. So those three main things, that equals success,” he said.

For a player once projected to go in the first two rounds, the draft snub appeared personal. Yet Sanders didn’t lash out or point fingers he got to work. After all that could be changing point in his public image also.

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