Pressure is baked into the NFL job description. But falling to the fifth round when you’ve been hyped as a Day 1 or 2 pick all your college end days. To some, that might feel unfair. For others, that’s a reality check. That’s Shedeur Sanders’ story. Now, he is with the Dawg Pound, cleats laced, and a chip on his shoulder. But according to Aaron Lockett, on EssentiallySports Exclusive, this isn’t a cautionary tale; it’s the setup to something special.

Lockett told us what he thought about Shedeur’s slip and what the Browns can expect from him in an exclusive conversation with EssentiallySports. “I think he’s done enough in college to showcase that he has athletic ability. He’s made some great throws. [I] watched him a little more this year, with LaJohnstay being one of our clients. And then just being able to see Shedeur at Pro Day — amazing Pro Day, right? Like, he can let it rip.” 

But Lockett didn’t stop there. He wanted to scream the Shedeur chant loudly and clearly, against all the hate that the young QB has received so far. “[He’s] just a fun-loving young man,” Lockett told us about the ex-Buffs QB’s character. The former NFL wideout-turned-agent added, “While I don’t know him a lot personally, I can tell his game is ready for the next level.” Bold words? Maybe. But they didn’t sound like a ‘maybe’ when he was giving us his two cents on the whole scenario.

Now, before you wonder why an agent’s opinion matters here, let’s zoom out. Lockett’s not just tossing quotes for fun. For context: he has been through the trenches of the draft as the Bucs picked him in the 7th Round, 254 overall, back in 2002. Also, he’s the uncle and rep of Tyler Lockett, the smooth-moving wideout now in Tennessee. This guy’s been in rooms where real decisions happen. He’s watched film, studied tape, and been around enough talent to know what it looks like.

So, when he told us during his exclusive interview that, “I thought it was unfortunate how far he slipped, but I think Cleveland got a steal. I think he’ll come in there and compete, and I think he’s going to make plays over the next couple of years,” we believed him. Because he said it with a poker face. More like a statement for Kevin Stefanski and the Browns on what they can expect from Sanders if used wisely.

Lockett’s statements were all facts, though. Shedeur threw for 4,134 yards, 37 TDs, and only 10 INTs, and that only landed him in Cleveland as a 144th overall QB5. Now, he must make his way to the top. That’s why, like Lockett said, it’s “unfortunate,” but don’t blink or else you might miss a comeback arc.

Shedeur Sanders is here to enjoy the game that he loves

After a hectic couple of weeks. Shedeur Sanders is slowly leaving the draft weekend behind him. Now, he is just grateful to God for being able to play the game he enjoys, even if it’s in a Browns uniform.

Standing under the Ohio sun with a ball in his hands and not a complaint in sight is not hiding from the noise. He’s playing through it. On Sunday, Shedeur posted a picture from rookie minicamp with a caption that didn’t read like someone bitter about the process: “Thankful for every player part of our Rookie minicamp. Great relationships was made during our time together.”

There’s no clean path to the Browns’ starting job. It’s a logjam: Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and of course, Deshaun Watson, whose Achilles injury could keep him out for the year. But Sanders’ not watching the room. He’s working the reps. Reports from minicamp say he was the last one off the field Friday. On Saturday and Sunday? Sharp. Confident. Fully dialed in. That doesn’t guarantee anything. But it means everything, at least for him.

Scouts didn’t downgrade Shedeur Sanders for skill. Some had late-first or second-round grades. But when your last name is Sanders and your coach was your dad, the critics judge in decimals, not yards. Some front offices couldn’t separate the narrative from the tape. But Shedeur wants to write his own story now: “My story’s going to be similar,” he said, referencing Tom Brady’s rise from 199th to GOAT status.

So here he is. Number 12 in orange and brown. Running drills. Taking notes. Visiting schools. Talking to kids. Not with a chip on his shoulder—but with joy in his chest. This isn’t about proving people wrong. It’s about playing the game he loves. And boy, what a way to begin. On Friday, in his debut rookie minicamp for the Browns, Shedeur’s numbers were #LEGENDARY: 32/33 (passes completed), 471 yards (passing) and 5 touchdowns. Now, if you squint a little, you might already see what made Cleveland take the chance.

If you want more of such exclusive interviews with the minds behind the scenes like Aaron Lockett, do subscribe and tune in to our ES Exclusives YouTube channel.