NFL Draft Day 2 Hopefuls: Shedeur Sanders Skips Round 1, Ranked Top amongst Remaining Prospects

Rewritten Article:

Shedeur Sanders found himself a first-round draftee benchwarmer in the 2025 NFL Draft as Travis Hunter snagged the limelight with the second overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The rollercoaster night saw Sanders' name overlooked despite a multitude of quarterback-starved teams like the Raiders, Saints, Jets, Giants (twice!), and more passing on the record-setting Buffaloes quarterback.

The Giants, in particular, caused some stir when they opted for Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart over Sanders, presenting the biggest shock of Round 1. Many touted Sanders as the ideal pick for the Giants, slotting him in one pick after Hunter and one pick after Miami QB Cam Ward was plucked by the Tennessee Titans. As the evening unraveled, it subtly reminded many of the 2005 NFL draft drama surrounding Cal QB Aaron Rodgers and Utah QB Alex Smith, both vying for the 49ers' top overall selection.

With Rodgers seemingly slipping down the ladder, Sanders became the unexpected candidate to follow suit, dropping right out of Round 1. "We all didn't expect this of course, but I feel like with God, anything's possible, everything's possible," Sanders voiced in a YouTube video, echoing his unwavering optimism. "I don't think this happened for no reason. All this is, is of course fuel to the fire."

Recent queries about Sanders' arm strength have taken the spotlight, although his father—a Pro Football Hall of Famer—laughs at such speculations. Over 50 collegiate games, Sanders threw for an astonishing 14,347 yards, posting 134 touchdowns and 27 interceptions, all while boasting a 70.1% completion rate and adding another 17 rushing touchdowns to his name. However, he did have a penchant for holding onto the ball too long, leading to an FBS-high 94 sacks over the last two seasons.

Snubbing on-the-field workouts at the NFL scouting combine and the Big 12 pro day intensified rumors surrounding Sanders' arm strength and created some uncertainly around his son, Coach Prime mused earlier this month regarding his son's plummeting draft stock despite an interceptionless run since the Alamo Bowl.

Now, as the 2025 Draft enters Round 2, Shedeur Sanders remains the most notable quarterback on the board, offering a tantalizing opportunity for teams still thirsting for a reliable signal-caller. With the strength of this year's draft being in the middle rounds, Sanders could find himself flourishing among fellow prospects primed to make instant impacts — the perfect motivation to bounce back from the first-round snub.

Some intriguing prospects likely to join Sanders early in Round 2 include:

Will Johnson: Johnson's fluid style, size, and ball skills make him an ideal cornerback to counter the NFL's taller receivers, despite a season-limiting turf-toe injury in 2024.
Nick Emmanwori: The colossal safety clocks a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash and possesses a mix of ball skills, speed, and adaptability, making him an all-around valuable asset.
Luther Burden III: Burden's athletic skills and versatility as a slot receiver have enabled him to rack up 86 receptions, 1,212 yards, and nine touchdowns—and a 4.41-second 40-yard dash to boot!
TreVeyon Henderson: A three-down back to start, Henderson boasts top-tier speed, reliable hands, and exceptional pass protection skills, making him an immediate asset to NFL teams.

With Sanders poised to leave an immediate impact, the 2025 NFL Draft promises to offer an exciting blend of outstanding talent and surprising storylines.

Despite being overlooked in the 2025 NFL Draft's first round, Shedeur Sanders, like Aaron Rodgers in 2005, remained optimistic, voicing his thoughts in a YouTube video.
Sanders, a record-setting quarterback from the University of Buffalo, had a potent arm, throwing for 14,347 yards, 134 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions over 50 games.
The Giants' decision to pick Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart over Sanders caused a stir, with many pundits questioning the move given Sanders' potential fit with the team.
Regardless of the draft snub, teams in need of a reliable quarterback might find an opportunity in Round 2 to transfer their focus to Shedeur Sanders, who continues to be the most notable quarterback on the board.
In Toronto's media circles, intriguing prospects like Will Johnson, Nick Emmanwori, Luther Burden III, and TreVeyon Henderson are also expected to join Sanders early in Round 2, offering a mix of size, speed, ball skills, and adaptability.
Sidestepping on-field workouts at the NFL scouting combine and the Big 12 pro day had intensified speculation about Sanders' arm strength, but his father, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, laughed off such assumptions.