Shedeur Sanders, a highly regarded quarterback prospect and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, experienced a surprising and steep fall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite early projections that he might be selected in the first round, possibly as high as third overall, he slid all the way to the fifth round, where the Cleveland Browns picked him 144th overall
. Several factors contributed to this unexpected draft slide:
- Pre-draft Interviews and Process Issues: Reports indicated that Sanders struggled during interviews with multiple teams, including the New York Giants. His interactions reportedly did not go smoothly, which raised concerns among NFL coaches and executives
- Family and Representation Dynamics: The Sanders family, including Deion Sanders, maintained a strong influence over the draft process, sometimes insisting on doing things their own way. This approach may have alienated some teams and contributed to the perception that Sanders was difficult to evaluate or work with
- On-field Evaluations: While Sanders was praised for his intelligence, resilience, and precision, scouts and analysts pointed out weaknesses such as holding the ball too long, leading to many sacks, inconsistent arm strength, and a lack of elite athleticism. Some viewed him as more of a developmental quarterback rather than an immediate impact player
- Draft Context: The Browns had already drafted another quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, earlier in the draft, making Sanders their second QB pick and signaling a less certain role for him initially
Despite the disappointment of falling far below expectations, Sanders expressed determination and optimism after the draft, acknowledging the setback but emphasizing his readiness to work hard and succeed in the NFL
. In summary, Shedeur Sanders' draft slide was due to a combination of poor pre-draft interviews, family influence on the process, perceived limitations in his game, and team fit considerations. The Cleveland Browns selected him in the fifth round, where he now has an opportunity to prove himself at the professional level
