Whether Shedeur Sanders becomes a quality starting quarterback remains to be seen, but his popularity since his stunning fall in the 2025 NFL Draft isn’t in doubt.

The third-string Browns rookie, who fell to No. 144 overall in the fifth round, had the fifth-best selling jersey in the NFL between March 1 and July 31, according to the NFLPA.

Sanders’ No. 12 jersey trailed only Eagles running back and ex-Giant Saquon Barkley, who topped the list, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Two-way Jaguars star Travis Hunter, Sanders’ college teammate at Colorado, was the next rookie on the list at No. 11.

Quarterback Cam Ward, whom the Titans selected No. 1 overall, ranks No. 13.

Sanders has been a lightning rod since the lead-up to the draft, during which he, at one point, was projected as a potential top pick before slipping to the third day of the draft. Some reports raised concerns about Sanders’ attitude during the pre-draft process, while others questioned whether he could play well in the NFL.

The Browns ultimately took Sanders two rounds after they drafted Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

They held a four-man “competition” during training camp that predictably ended with 40-year-old Joe Flacco being named the starting quarterback.

Cleveland traded Kenny Pickett to the Raiders in late August after Las Vegas backup Aidan O’Connell went down with a wrist injury.

That left Gabriel as Flacco’s backup. Sanders was inactive for Sunday’s season-opening loss to the Bengals but dressed as the emergency third quarterback.