It’s not every day a fifth-round NFL Draft pick dominates the conversation on The Herd—but Shedeur Sanders isn’t your typical Day 3 selection.
Ever since the Cleveland Browns took the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd hasn’t stopped singing his praises.
Week after week, segment after segment, Cowherd has been pounding the table for Sanders, calling him not only the most talented young quarterback on the Browns roster, but the guy who should be starting Week 1.
“By a landslide, Shedeur Sanders should be the starter,” Cowherd said earlier this week. “I’m done pretending. I’ve seen enough. I'm calling it a wrap. I’m really with Joe Flacco right now, but Shedeur is the future—and the future should start now.”
Cowherd's praise every day
Cowherd has been consistent. He’s compared Shedeur’s accuracy to veteran quarterbacks, praised his maturity, and even questioned how a player this polished fell so far in the draft.
And in typical Cowherd fashion, he’s not being subtle about it.
Cowherd’s case for Shedeur is built on several pillars: production, poise, and pedigree.
At Colorado, Sanders rarely turned the ball over, managed the game with NFL-level patience, and made clutch throw after clutch throw in hostile environments.
More importantly, Cowherd sees something in Shedeur that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet.
“He plays with command. He plays with purpose,” Cowherd said. “You watch him at OTAs—his footwork is clean, his release is quick, and he throws a beautiful ball. You can’t teach that.”
Cowherd has also repeatedly praised how Shedeur carries himself. No antics, no excuses—just quiet confidence and maturity that is rare for a rookie.
A crowded QB room, but Cowherd sees one clear leader
Reports say Shedeur has been sharp, completing 7-of-9 passes in one recent team session and showing strong chemistry with younger receivers.
Flacco is expected to begin the year as the starter, especially with Deshaun Watson’s timeline still uncertain. But Cowherd believes Shedeur should leapfrog the rest because he gives the Browns the best long-term and short-term chance to win.
“Pickett? We’ve seen it,” Cowherd said. “Gabriel? Good kid, but raw. Flacco? He’s a Band-Aid. Shedeur is the guy you build around.”
It’s a bold stance, but it's rooted in Shedeur's strengths—his football IQ, accuracy, and toughness under pressure.
Colin Cowherd may be the loudest voice backing Shedeur, but he’s not alone. Veteran Joe Flacco had kind words for Sanders during a media session this week.
“He’s been great,” Flacco said. “A lot of fun to be around in those meeting rooms. He already made me laugh once or twice.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski also spoke positively about Sanders' progress, noting his attention to detail and strong grasp of the playbook.
While the Browns are keeping their QB rotation fluid, Shedeur is quickly working his way into the conversation.
The question is no longer whether he belongs—it’s how soon will he get his shot.
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