Shedeur Sanders Draws Jared Goff Comparison Amid Surprising Draft Slide

Shedeur Sanders, one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class and the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, drew a surprising comparison during draft coverage — to Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

Despite being widely projected as a first-round pick by analysts, Sanders unexpectedly fell to the fifth round. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller likened Sanders’ style of play to Goff, who has played a key role in Detroit’s recent resurgence.

Both quarterbacks excel in dissecting defenses with accurate short and intermediate throws. Sanders, like Goff, thrives in rhythm-based passing offenses, showcasing timing and precision. However, Sanders adds more mobility to his game, though that athleticism hasn’t always translated to success. He was criticized in college for taking unnecessary sacks, often holding onto the ball too long.

Draft analyst Steve Muench praised the Cleveland Browns’ decision to grab Sanders late, even after already selecting Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel in Round 3. He highlighted head coach Kevin Stefanski’s track record of developing accurate passers like Kirk Cousins and Case Keenum. Muench noted that while selecting two quarterbacks may seem excessive — especially with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and an injured Deshaun Watson already on the roster — Sanders was too good a value to pass up. The move could boost Cleveland’s odds of finding a reliable backup or even a potential starter.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes was asked about Sanders’ fall in the draft and suggested that incomplete scouting or misinformation might have played a role.

“Everyone has their own evaluations,” Holmes said. “But if all you know is what you’ve heard — without doing the full work, watching all the film from the last two years — it’s hard to make a complete assessment.”

Holmes also noted how media narratives can distort perceptions of players: “Sometimes people — not the player, but the media — put a spin on things that isn’t the full story.”