Football Prodigy Shedeur Sanders' Millions Slip Away Due to Unfortunate Slip in 2025 NFL Draft
Unfiltered Take on Shedeur Sanders' Draft Slip and What It Means
The 2025 NFL draft witnessed a stunning turn of events with the fall of Shedeur Sanders, projected top pick, all the way to the 144th spot. It was a long wait until day 3 for his name to be called, making the sting even more bitter. To add insult to injury, the Cleveland Browns, his new team, had already picked Dillon Gabriel, another quarterback, in the 94th round.
The dramatic drop from potential top three or first-round pick to a 5th rounder had a significant financial implication. According to Sportico, Sanders stands to lose at least $40 million compared to what he would earn if drafted higher.
The Financial Hit of a Lower Draft Position
Since 2011, the NFL has employed a salary slot system for rookies. The wages of their rookie contract are pre-determined based on when they were drafted. Higher draft picks equate to higher paychecks.
For instance, this year's top two picks, Cam Ward and Travis Hunter, are expected to rake in $48.8 million and $46.6 million respectively, over the next four years. Contrast this with Sanders, who, as the sixth pick of the fifth round, can only agree to a four-year contract worth a paltry $4.6 million. This figure is not just a stark difference from what the top rookies will make, it's even lower than what he made from NIL last season at Colorado – over $5 million.
Climbing the Draft Board: Predictions and Probabilities
Sanders's fall in the draft wasn't just surprising; it was costly. But there's a silver lining. Recent mock drafts project him as a late first-round pick, which, if true, would still place him in the middle-to-lower end of the first-round salary range, securing a substantial signing bonus and annual value.
Navigating Challenges on a New Team
Success or failure for any pick hinges on the fit. The Browns have struggled to create consistency at the quarterback position for years. With Sanders joining Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, he has a chance to carve out a space for himself and potentially become the full-time signal caller, especially with Watson expected to be out most of next season recovering from a torn Achilles.
The draft was a humbling experience for Sanders, but with determination and the right moves, he's ready to prove that he's worth much more than his $4 million contract.
- Against all anticipations, Shedeur Sanders, the projected top pick for the 2025 NFL draft, ended up at the 144th spot, a significant fall from grace that echoed through the sports world.
- The Cleveland Browns, after selecting another quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, in the 94th round, then picked Sanders in the 144th spot, adding fuel to the rumors of a predetermined draft strategy.
- Sanders's lower draft position translates into a lower salary, as compared to potential top picks; he stands to lose at least $40 million in his rookie contract due to the predetermined salary structure in the NFL.
- Despite the financial hit, Sanders still has a chance to climb back up the draft board, with recent predictions placing him as a late first-round pick, which would secure a significant signing bonus and annual value.
- Sanders's success with the Cleveland Browns will largely depend on his ability to fit into the team and compete for the starting quarterback position alongside Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
