Browns QB Shedeur Sanders putting draft slide behind him and ready to work: ‘I’m proving myself right’

Drafted within the fifth spherical at No. 144 general after an prolonged wait, the Colorado product begins his NFL profession in a much less sure place than another rookie quarterbacks, realizing that he’ll need to do the work to make his means right into a beginning lineup and present why he believes he is higher than his draft place.

And in beginning the work to attain that aim, Sanders sees the similarities to the early years of a future Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer in Tom Brady, who had an excellent longer wait earlier than being chosen by the Patriots at No. 199 in 2000.

The Las Vegas Raiders minority proprietor stated this week that he reached out to Sanders to encourage the younger QB and remind him that success can come from anyplace within the draft, because it did for him. Sanders acquired that message, taking to coronary heart the strategy of wanting past his draft choice to the method forward.

“My story is going to be similar, you know, I was a late-round draft pick,” Sanders stated. “But we’re here now, so none of that stuff matters, it just mattered on the day. I’m just excited to be here and ready to work.”

That endeavor begins with the upcoming competitors between Sanders and the opposite 4 members of the Browns quarterback room. That features fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who has been alongside Sanders within the final couple days’ exercises.

Whereas Sanders acknowledged that the group is inherently in competitors for a similar position, he stated his focus stays on his personal play and making the soar to the following stage, saying that “I can’t control any other decision besides that, so I just try to be my best self at all times.”

“Of course it’s day by day,” Sanders stated. “I just find something I want to perfect and perfect it to the best of my abilities. That’s all I really focus on, just being there and a leader, teammate and doing what I need to do whenever it is. So, I’m thankful for the opportunity. Things could have been a lot worse but I’m here smiling in front of you all at this facility right now.”

Whereas the method to search out his NFL house ended up being bumpier than he imagined, Sanders nonetheless has his group in Cleveland, and his aim of incomes his spot in sight. And with that focus turned towards the season and away from the noise, Sanders emphasised that the months and possibly years forward will simply be about exhibiting the world what he already believes about himself.

“My job here isn’t to prove people wrong, I’m proving myself right,” he stated. “And I fully still have belief.”