Fifth-Round Pick Outshines First-Round Stars, Driven by Fan Hype and Draft Drama

CLEVELAND – Despite a dramatic slide to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has emerged as the rookie with the top-selling jersey among the draft class, according to Fanatics, the NFL’s official retail partner. The announcement, confirmed on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, via NFL business reporter Darren Rovell, highlights Sanders’ enduring popularity despite being selected 144th overall, a stark contrast to his pre-draft projections as a potential first-round pick.

Fanatics reported that Sanders’ jersey, listed as number 00 pending his official Browns number, has surpassed those of high-profile first-round picks, including Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (No. 1 overall) and Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star Travis Hunter (No. 2 overall), Sanders’ former Colorado teammate. The sales figures, compiled across Fanatics’ network, including NFLShop.com and the Browns’ online store, reflect transactions through Wednesday. Notably, Sanders’ jersey climbed from third place on Monday, April 28, to the top spot, despite first-round picks having a two-day head start on sales following their Thursday selections.

Sanders’ unexpected draft fall, which saw him passed over for quarterbacks like Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel, fueled intense media and fan discussion. Posts on X captured the sentiment, with users like @mymixtapez noting, “Shedeur Sanders makes history as the first-ever 5th-round pick to have the number one selling jersey among the NFL rookie draft class.” The controversy surrounding his slide, attributed by some to off-field concerns and pre-draft interviews, appears to have amplified his marketability rather than diminished it. “We have never seen a 5th round pick like Shedeur,” wrote @_MLFootball on X, predicting continued sales growth.

The 23-year-old quarterback, son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, brings a high-profile pedigree to Cleveland. His college career at Jackson State and Colorado showcased his precision passing, with 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2024, earning him Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. Despite taking 99 sacks over two seasons behind a porous Colorado offensive line, Sanders’ toughness and accuracy drew praise, though his draft stock suffered due to concerns about pocket navigation and perceived arrogance.

Cleveland’s quarterback room, which includes Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, presents a crowded path to playing time for Sanders. Yet, Browns fans are embracing the rookie, drawn by his resilience and the narrative of proving doubters wrong. “Fans are still wanting their Browns Sanders jerseys, adding it to the collection of what has been a revolving door of quarterbacks in Cleveland,” noted CBSSports.com. The jerseys, priced at $129.99 on NFLShop.com, have sold briskly, even without a confirmed number—Sanders wore No. 2 at Colorado, but the Browns depicted him in No. 5 in draft-day graphics.

Analysts suggest Sanders’ sales surge reflects both his personal brand and the Browns’ passionate fanbase, eager for a fresh face at quarterback after years of instability. “The NFL and the Cleveland Browns have wasted no time capitalizing on all the drama surrounding Sanders and his slide,” wrote USA Today’s Draft Wire. His marketability is further boosted by his father’s coaching legacy and the cultural impact of his “watch flex” celebration, popularized in college.

While Sanders’ on-field future remains uncertain, his off-field impact is undeniable. The Athletic reported that his jersey’s third-place ranking on Monday was already remarkable for a non-first-rounder, making his leap to No. 1 historic. As @premefootball posted on X, “Sanders may have lost out on anywhere from $17 to over $39 million by not going in the 1st round, but he’s cashing in elsewhere.” With training camp looming, Sanders’ jersey sales signal a fanbase ready to rally behind the polarizing prospect as he aims to silence critics in the NFL.