Ravens wanted to draft Shedeur Sanders — why he told them not to pick him

Even as he plummeted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders attempted to dictate his destination.

The Ravens were planning to draft the sinking Colorado quarterback in the fifth round with the No. 141 pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but Sanders’ camp “let it be known to Baltimore that he didn’t want to be on a roster with [two-time MVP] Lamar Jackson,” with no chance to compete for playing time.

Baltimore ultimately selected offensive lineman Carson Vinson in the fifth round, while the Browns traded up to take Sanders, once projected as a potential top-two pick, at No. 144.

Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders watches from the sideline during a game against the Ravens on Sept. 14, 2025. AP

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before a game against the Browns on Sept. 14, 2025. Getty Images

The Ravens and Browns are facing each other Sunday in Week 2, with Sanders listed as the No. 3 QB on Cleveland’s depth chart behind veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel after Kenny Pickett was traded to the Raiders in August.

Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Colorado coach Deion Sanders, enjoyed a strong debut in the Browns’ first preseason game before sitting out the following week due to an oblique injury.

He struggled in the preseason finale against the Rams, who sacked Sanders five times and held him to three completions of six pass attempts for just 14 yards.

The Ravens led the Browns 10-0 late in Sunday’s second quarter.