Shedeur Sanders turned down chance to join Baltimore Ravens as earlier draft pick: report

The draft day slide of quarterback Shedeur Sanders could have ended earlier this spring, according to a new report published on Sunday.

The Cleveland Browns ultimately selected the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders in the fifth round after a draft day free fall that enraged many fans and media members.

Several outlets had projected Sanders as a first-round pick.

The Baltimore Ravens tried to draft Sanders earlier in the fifth round, ESPN reported Sunday ahead of a Week 2 game between the Browns and Ravens. The Colorado product reportedly turned down the opportunity because he didn’t want to be buried on the depth chart behind two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.

Baltimore would’ve chosen Sanders with the 141st pick if he hadn’t expressed his concerns, the report said. The Ravens instead chose offensive lineman Carson Vinson.

The Browns drafted Sanders — after already drafting Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel — three picks later.

Sanders has not been able to pass Gabriel on the Browns’ depth chart though. Cleveland is starting veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco, with Gabriel as the primary backup.