Kaylah Walton
When Shedeur Sanders fell to the 144th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it created a stir in the football community. Once anticipated as a first-round selection, the ex-Colorado Buffalo now found himself selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.
Among those expressing shock was Ice Cube. The iconic rapper and avid supporter of the Las Vegas Raiders couldn’t conceal his frustration at his team’s choice to overlook Sanders.
However, Ice Cube’s response was more than mere fandom; he proposed an intriguing theory.
“I really wanted my team to select Prime’s son,” Ice Cube shared on Outta Pocket with RGIII. “But here’s my thought on why he was picked in the fifth round: Teams that chose him might have been aware that it could jeopardize their jobs.”
“Prime Time aims to coach his son in the NFL, so a struggling season could lead to the head coach’s departure, paving the way for Prime to take over. They were making strategic selections to secure their positions.”
While some might find this theory unlikely, it underscores that Sanders’ drop in the draft was influenced by factors beyond just performance metrics.
As the son of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, Shedeur entered the NFL not just with skill, but also with a prominent family legacy and scrutiny, making him both a point of interest and a potential concern for franchises wary of his father’s influence.
Prospects for Starting Position
Despite the surrounding buzz and disappointment, Sanders continues his relentless pursuit. Now a member of the Cleveland roster, he’s currently placed lower on the depth chart, primarily training with the third-string players. Nevertheless, his efforts have caught the attention of others.
“There’s no doubt that Sanders is making a mark,” reported ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, providing a glimmer of hope that Sanders’ hard work could lead to genuine opportunities.
However, opinions differ on his chances for a starting role.
During an episode of the Nightcap podcast, former NFL receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh shared insights he received from someone within the Browns organization regarding the quarterback competition.
“I heard from someone inside that it’s primarily between Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel,” Houshmandzadeh stated.
“But when reports suggest that Shedeur is completing seven out of nine passes, we have to ask: is that against first-string players or against those who aren’t making the final cut?
“It may seem impressive on paper, but how significant is it if it’s not against the key players or those destined to remain on the roster?”
