Multiple NFL Draft aspirants become targets of hoax calls, distinct from the Shedeur Sanders prank incident: source reveals
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Find out what went down with Shedeur Sanders dropping to the 5th round in this year's NFL Draft! Keyshawn Johnson dives into the draft drama and discusses what derailed the Colorado quarterback's chances at stardom.
In a bizarre twist during the NFL Draft weekend, both Cleveland Browns quarterback candidate Shedeur Sanders and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren received prank calls from draft scammers. While Warren's prank call connection to the Sanders incident has been confirmed, recent investigations have shown no direct link between the calls.
Sanders, initially a projected first-round pick, plummeted to the fifth round on Saturday. However, before that fateful call from the Browns came in, the former Colorado quarterback took a prank call. The culprit? None other than 21-year-old Jax Ulbrich, son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who discoverd the draft contact number for Sanders by accident on an open iPad.
What caused the unexpected tumble for Sanders in the draft? Here are three possibilities:
- Questions over Mobility and Pocket Presence: Despite leading FBS in completion percentage (74.1%), teams expressed concerns about Sanders' mobility and comfort inside the pocket after he took a record-breaking number of sacks.
- Shallow QB Class and Draft Strategy: The 2025 QB class may have lacked depth, but few teams appeared eager to draft a starting quarterback mid-draft. The Browns' selection of Sanders seemed strategic, given their uncertain situation at the position, considering Deshaun Watson's injury concerns and trade regrets.
- Off-Field "Baggage": Conversations hinted at off-field worries, such as potential scrutiny from being the son of football legend Deion Sanders. But according to Shedeur, being his father's son was never a hindrance.
Although prank calls may have added an unusual twist, it's the football-related evaluations and draft strategy that seem to have steered Sanders' draft fate. Cleveland's pre-draft dinner with Sanders and teammate Travis Hunter indicates a genuine interest in the talented prospect rather than a reaction to prank calls.
This article was originally published on Digital's Sports Coverage and was authored by Sports Reporter Paulina Dedaj.
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- Despite initial projections, Shedeur Sanders, the Colorado quarterback, dropped to the fifth round in this year's NFL Draft, potentially due to concerns over his mobility and comfort within the pocket.
- Interestingly, Sanders received a prank call during the NFL Draft weekend, but it remains unclear if it had any impact on his draft position.
- After Sanders' unexpected fall in the draft, some speculate that Cleveland's selection of him may have been strategic, given their uncertain QB situation and the lacking depth in the 2023 QB class.
- Despite rumors of off-field issues, Sanders maintains that being the son of football legend Deion Sanders never hindered his progress in his NFL draft journey.
