Cleveland Browns Discuss Draft Decision for Chedur Sanders

Jimmy Haslam, the owner of the Cleveland Browns, recently shared insights into the team’s drafting process for quarterback Chedur Sanders, addressing the surprising events of April’s NFL Draft. He indicated that the Browns’ plans did not include selecting Sanders, who unexpectedly dropped to them in the later rounds.

Haslam reflected on the draft night, saying, “If you had asked anyone on a Friday night what the plans were, they would have said choosing Chedur wasn’t happening.” However, after discussions among the right people in the organization that day, things shifted.

He also emphasized that it was Andrew Berry, the Browns’ general manager, who ultimately made the call to draft Sanders. Haslam noted, “At the end of the day, that’s Andrew’s decision. He called to choose Chedur and talked with head coach Kevin Stefanski about how to proceed.”

After a standout college football season, Sanders was projected by some experts to be a potential No. 1 pick but ended up being selected 144th overall by the Browns.

Berry mentioned in a press conference that selecting two quarterbacks, including Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel earlier in the draft, wasn’t part of the original strategy. “We didn’t set out to draft two quarterbacks, but we want the best players, and we value competition across all positions,” he explained. Adding Sanders to the mix was seen as a way to foster competition within the team.

However, Sanders’ early days with the Browns have been marred by controversy. He recently received two speeding tickets—one for driving 91 mph in a 65 mph zone, and another for going as fast as 101 mph. He didn’t attend court for these incidents but acknowledged his mistakes, stating, “I made some wrong choices, and I own them. It wasn’t a good choice, and I’ve learned from it.”

Berry expressed disappointment over Sanders’ actions, telling the media, “It’s not smart. He understands the risks involved, not just to himself but also to others on the road.”