Report: Shedeur Sanders nixed Ravens' draft plan

Field Level Media|published: Sun 14th September, 12:03 2025

NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns

Aug 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jamil Muhammad (45) chases Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

When quarterback Shedeur Sanders heard the Baltimore Ravens planned to select him in the fifth round of the NFL draft in April, he let the team know he wasn't interested, ESPN reported Sunday.

Sanders, a Colorado product, didn't want to be in the same quarterback room as perennial MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, whose grip on the position is firm.

So with the No. 141 pick in the draft, the Ravens selected offensive lineman Carson Vinson from Alabama A&M and left Sanders, 23, on the board.

Baltimore's AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns, picked Sanders three spots later.

The Browns (0-1) and Ravens (0-1) meet Sunday in Baltimore. Joe Flacco, 40, won the quarterback competition with Cleveland and will square off against Jackson.

Dillon Gabriel, selected in the third round, is Flacco's backup, with Sanders listed as third on the Browns' depth chart. He was listed as inactive against the Ravens.

Deshaun Watson, still on the Cleveland payroll, is expected to miss the season with an Achilles injury. Watson, who turns 30 on Sunday, still is owed $86 million through 2026.

Former New England Patriots starter Bailey Zappe is on the practice squad.

--Field Level Media