Shedeur Sanders was not drafted early in the NFL Draft primarily due to a combination of factors including concerns about his accuracy, arm strength, on-field skills, and off-field attitude during team interviews. Scouts noted that while he can make impressive deep throws, his short passes often lacked consistency, and he doesn't offer much running ability. Additionally, reports indicate he came off as somewhat arrogant in interviews and specifically turned down interest from some teams, which may have hurt his draft stock. There have also been suggestions of off-field issues and even speculation that the NFL might have wanted to make an example out of him, discouraging teams from selecting him early. Despite being initially projected as a first-round pick, he slid down and was eventually picked in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns. His father, Deion Sanders, who is a famous NFL figure, also played a role in shaping perceptions. More context includes a reported incident where he was confronted by a Giants coach for not being prepared, and some say there may have been racial biases and an aversion to his strong personality and style. His draft fall has been described as one of the most stunning in NFL history, sparking widespread discussion and controversy. Since being drafted, he has had a chance to prove himself but faces competition on the Browns' roster and scrutiny about his performance and behavior. In summary, the reasons for Shedeur Sanders not getting drafted earlier include:
- Questions about skills like accuracy and arm strength
- Not being a strong running quarterback
- Questionable attitude and interview behavior
- Possibly being discouraged by NFL influences
- Perceptions related to his background and personality
- Highly competitive quarterback draft class and NFL team needs
These factors combined led to his unexpected slide to the fifth round, rather than an early selection as initially anticipated.
