The opening round of the 2025 NFL Draft was an exciting evening, but the most newsworthy was about who WASN’T picked: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Even with one of the most legendary names in college football and a strong 2024 season, Sanders sat idly by as his peers, not to mention fellow teammate Travis Hunter (No. 2 overall) and surprise first pick Cam Ward, got picked on Day 1.
The omission of NFL Hall of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ son from the top 32 sparked immediate buzz: Did Shedeur’s draft demeanor intimidate teams?
The Talent Was There, But So Were the Red Flags
Statistically, Shedeur Sanders was a genius in 2024 for Colorado, passing for over 3,200 yards with 27 touchdowns. His arm ability, pocket understanding, and clutch mentality were all on show. But NFL teams are equally interested in character and coachability as they are in anything that occurs between the lines.
And that is where the news goes another way.
Sanders outraged everyone at the beginning of this year by declaring he would not play for a “trash organization.” His dad, Coach Prime, was just as of like mind in declaring he would never let Shedeur or Travis Hunter sign with just any any team.
Whereas faith is called for, the words were had more than enough front offices biting their tongues.
According to the Hindustan Times, most of the teams questioned whether Sanders and his team were actually ready to negotiate, something essential to direct a room full of professionals.
Strategic Slide — or Draft Day Blunder?
There is another theory gaining momentum: this was all a plan.
Now that Shedeur has been painted as an early Day 2 draft selection, some inside folks believe his camp did push some clubs to be shunned from selecting him in order to get something of a higher profile.
What that potentially entails is not an unstable club but a well-funded coach, solid o-line, and a clear path ahead to become the player everyone witnessed.
That’s dicey, however.
Whereas Cam Ward torched his way onto draft boards to be the breathtaking No. 1 pick, Travis Hunter solidified his infamy as No. 2, Shedeur’s fall does shine brightly, especially for a player who once wore the tag of the face of Colorado’s rebirth.
Redemption or Reality Check?
Everyone is waiting with bated breath for round two. Do teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, or Minnesota Vikings want to give him a shot? Or did Team Sanders’s demeanor impact his draft value before?
One thing is certain: Shedeur Sanders still possesses the talent to get it done at the next level. But after being overlooked on Day 1, he must demonstrate that confidence and character are not mutually exclusive, and that he can excel both on and off the field.
Related: 10 Teams That Really Need to Nail the 2025 NFL Draft
