NFL Draft passes without selection of Shedeur Sanders in initial three rounds
Shedeur Sanders Draft Slide: NFL Teams' Concerns and Prospects
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The Unexpected NFL Draft Fall of Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders, the promising quarterback and son of football legend Deion Sanders, stunned many when he wasn't picked up in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite predictions of going as high as the No. 3 overall pick to the New York Giants, Sanders found himself waiting after 102 picks.
Waiting for the Big Break in Rounds 4-7
Sanders could still make a splash in the later rounds, with a chance to be selected on Saturday.
Passed Over for Five Quarters
Five QBs—Miami's Cam Ward, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Louisville's Tyler Shough, Alabama's Jalen Milroe, and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel—were all chosen before Sanders.
Sanders' Colorful Past
Sanders began his college career at Jackson State in 2021, under his father's coaching. They subsequently moved to Colorado, where his final two years were spent with the Buffaloes. In his senior season, he won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, with impressive stats of 74.0% pass completion, 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 4,134 yards.
Revitalizing the Colorado Football Program
Sanders played a pivotal role in the transformation of Colorado's football program. The school had only won one game the season before his arrival, but in 2024, they managed to win nine games for the first time since 2016.
Scouts' and Coaches' Interest
In the lead-up to the draft, Sanders was a hot topic for scouts and coaches, but off-field considerations raised some eyebrows.
Negativity Unfazed
Despite the negativity surrounding his character, Sanders remained unfazed, telling NBC News, "I truly don't have any space for negativity, so it doesn't play a factor in my life at all."
Sanders' Descent: Underlying Reasons
Sanders' unexpected slide to the fifth round (No. 144 overall) resulted from concerns about his on-field performance and off-field matters. Teams favored assessing scheme fit and managing risk over drafting Sanders earlier. Performance concerns centered on his potential to handle NFL-level pressure and adapt to complex defenses, while off-field distractions included scrutiny over Colorado's locker-room dynamics during his tenure and his high-profile persona as Deion Sanders' son.
Browns' Investment and Competition for a Spot
Cleveland's investment in Sanders indicates belief in his accuracy and pocket-passing traits, albeit with a need for decision-making refinement under pressure. Despite the competition, Sanders joining a Browns team in transition opens up opportunities, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson's injured Achilles and Joe Flacco's age.
The High-Risk, High-Reward Scenario Awaits
Sanders' draft position reflects teams' risk-averse approach rather than a lack of talent. If he outperforms expectations, Cleveland stands to benefit significantly, demonstrating that Sanders' unexpected draft slide may prove to be a blessing in disguise.
- American-football teams showed deliberate caution in the 2025 NFL Draft, passing over Shedeur Sanders despite his promising talent, as evidenced by the selection of five other quarterbacks before him.
- While Sanders didn't make an immediate impact in the trading of the draft, his potential remains undiminished, as he could still join a team in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
- In the world of sports, including NFL, football, and American football, the Cleveland Browns have shown interest in Sanders, potentially seeing in him a player with accuracy and pocket-passing traits, despite the need for decision-making refinement under pressure.
- As the dust settles following the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns' investment in Sanders could lead to a high-risk, high-reward scenario, with the potential for Sanders' exceptional performance to significantly benefit the Browns.
- Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the unfazed Sanders, who won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, is poised to make his mark in trading yards, leading his new team towards yards of success and potentially redefining his draft position in the NFL.
