Shedeur Sanders can finally breathe after hearing his name called on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. His free fall ended in the fifth round, with the Cleveland Browns selecting him at pick No. 144. It was an interesting move, especially after the Browns had already selected Dillon Gabriel the night before, but Cleveland saw the value in Sanders as he kept sliding.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins compared Sanders’ arrival in Cleveland to the arrival of LeBron James two decades ago. James, drafted by the Cavaliers in 2003, left an unforgettable mark on the city after delivering a championship. Perkins sees a similar potential impact from Sanders — based on his personality and talented arm.
Kendrick Perkins Compares LeBron James and Shedeur Sanders
Perkins is excited about the partnership between Sanders and the Browns. He believes Sanders could become one of the faces of Cleveland sports, just like James did after being drafted.
“Most rookie star power to walk into Cleveland since LeBron James was drafted!” Perkins said about Sanders.
Most rookie star power to walk into Cleveland since LeBron James was drafted!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 26, 2025
While Sanders’ talent was likely not the reason he slid down the board, Perkins believes Sanders brings a level of star power rarely seen from a Cleveland rookie. Considering the city has seen elite talents like Myles Garrett, this is high praise.
Sanders won the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the best upperclassman quarterback in college football. He has the tools to succeed, if he can manage the concerns that likely hurt his draft stock.
At the University of Colorado, Sanders had an efficient 2024 season, completing 74.0% of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading the Buffaloes to a bowl game appearance and nine wins after a rough 2023 campaign.
However, one big concern about his game is his tendency to hold onto the ball too long, leading to sacks. Sanders was sacked 42 times in 2024 and 52 times in 2023. If he doesn’t improve in that area, he could struggle at the next level. But there’s no question he has the arm talent to be Cleveland’s quarterback of the future.
Sanders’ attitude may have hurt his draft position, but his confidence remains intact. He’s built for the spotlight, having handled the intense media coverage during his college career and throughout his draft slide. He has both the talent and swagger needed to succeed — it’s just a matter of putting it all together.
Perkins clearly sees the star power. Now it’s up to Sanders to seize the opportunity and live up to the hype. Only time will tell if he can match the lofty expectations.
