As NFL draft picks go, Shedeur Sanders was up there with the most controversial slides in history. The name on everyone’s lips after day one was Shedeur. With the New Orleans Saints picking at 9 and the Pittsburgh Steelers at 21, both teams requiring a quarterback as a matter of urgency, the thoughts were that he would be going to one of those options. However, with the likes of Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe all going before Sanders, the question was why not Shedeur?

The longer the draft went on, the more people got to know the name Shedeur. I had people with no real interest in the NFL asking me what the deal was. The issue was highlighted even further when news emerged that Sanders had received a prank call during day 2 of the draft. This prank was later discovered to have come from the son of Jeff Ulbrich, the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator. The Falcons were fined $250,000 dollars as a result and Ulbrich was fined $100,000. Sanders was eventually picked up in round 5 by the Cleveland Browns at pick 144. 

By all accounts, the teams across the NFL were concerned that they would be receiving a “Hollywood” player – controversial, egotistical and problematic. Bringing not only his reputation but also carrying the name of his legendary NFL father, Deion Sanders, was something teams were said to be wary of. They are said to have been cautious about the locker room dynamics that could have been a result of these character traits.

But why is Sanders my Player of the Week? Well, that is easy. Despite the drastic slide in pick position, Sanders has rolled up his sleeves, put on his cleats and got stuck into pre-season optional training activities as well as rookie camp. All reports from Cleveland point to Sanders having made some real, genuine connections and friendships. According to veteran QB, Joe Flacco, as well as 4th year pro, Kenny Pickett, Sanders has made excellent first impressions both on and off the field. With a fellow rookie QB in Dillon Gabriel, three more experienced QBs in Flacco, Pickett and Deshawn Watson, will Sanders get to play any snaps in this upcoming season?