Shedeur Sanders’ stunning slide shadows 2025 NFL Draft
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, once touted as a first-round lock, endured a precipitous freefall through the 2025 NFL Draft, remaining undrafted after two days and becoming the storyline of the league’s offseason spectacle. The son of Hall of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, Shedeur watched from his family’s home in Canton, Texas, as 104 picks passed without his name called—a slide so shocking it drew commentary from former President Donald Trump and left teams’ war rooms scrutinized.
A political punchline and prospect puzzle
Trump amplified the drama Friday, posting on Truth Social: “Nobody wants to pick Shedeur Sanders, but they’ll regret it!! PHENOMENAL GENES, ALL SET FOR GREATNESS.” The post underscored Sanders’ polarizing profile: a record-breaking passer with a cult following but mounting draft-night doubts. Despite throwing for 4,134 yards (a Colorado record) and finishing eighth in 2024 Heisman voting, scouts fixated on his 94 sacks over two seasons, inconsistent arm strength, and unproven adaptability outside his father’s system. “He’s been coddled by Coach Prime’s structure,” an NFC scout told AP. “Can he handle a traditional NFL environment?”
Teams bypass “Prime Time” pedigree
The New York Giants fueled brief hope Thursday, trading up to No. 25—only to select Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart. Friday’s second round deepened the spiral. The New Orleans Saints, grappling with Derek Carr’s shoulder uncertainty, opted for 25-year-old journeyman Tyler Shough at No. 40. The Cleveland Browns, desperate for QB depth after Deshaun Watson’s Achilles tear, twice passed on Sanders, choosing a linebacker and running back instead. “It’s a brutal evaluation,” said ESPN’s Louis Riddick. “His highlights are electric, but the risk-reward math scared teams.”
Resilience in the face of rejection
Sanders, who did not attend the draft, remained defiant in a YouTube video: “We all didn’t expect this, but with God, everything’s possible. Tomorrow’s the day. We’re going to be happy regardless.” His optimism contrasts with a reality check: Only two QBs—Miami’s Cam Ward (No. 1 to Tennessee) and Shough—were selected ahead of him, a reflection of his plummeting stock.
Legacy at a crossroads
Once hailed as a transformative talent, Sanders now faces a prove-it path. His draft slide echoes past phenoms like Brady Quinn and Aaron Rodgers, who used freefalls as fuel. For NFL teams, the hesitation is clear: Is Shedeur a product of Prime’s spotlight or a franchise cornerstone? As Day 3 looms, the answer—and Sanders’ future—rests on a league-wide gamble.
The draft concludes Saturday with Rounds 4-7. Sanders’ wait—and the NFL’s second-guessing—continues.
