Shedeur Sanders, a highly regarded quarterback prospect and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, experienced a dramatic fall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Initially projected as a potential top-five pick, he slid all the way to the fifth round, where the Cleveland Browns selected him with the 144th overall pick. This drop was surprising given his college success at Colorado and his reputation as one of the top quarterbacks in the draft class
. Several factors contributed to Sanders' unexpected slide:
- Poor Pre-Draft Interviews and Process: Reports indicated that Sanders struggled during interviews with NFL teams, including the New York Giants, which hurt his draft stock. There were perceptions that his confidence came off as arrogance, and this, combined with his and his father Deion Sanders' handling of the draft process, created a negative impression among some teams
- Overconfidence and Family Influence: Deion Sanders publicly predicted Shedeur would be a top pick and did not adjust expectations as it became clear that was unlikely. This may have contributed to a lack of strategic changes during the draft process. The family was seen as somewhat out of touch with the NFL's feedback and draft realities
- Scouting Concerns: Analysts noted concerns about Shedeur's tendency to hold the ball too long, leading to sacks, and questions about his arm strength. While his precision was praised, these physical and technical concerns added to teams' hesitancy
- Cultural and Personality Factors: Sanders' brash personality and confidence, reminiscent of his father's style, were polarizing. Some NFL personnel reportedly found this off-putting, especially during interviews, which may have influenced teams' decisions
Despite the slide, the Browns saw value in Sanders and traded up to pick him in the fifth round. He now joins a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland, which includes Dillon Gabriel (also drafted in 2025), Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Deshaun Watson. Sanders is expected to seize his opportunity in the NFL, although there was some discussion about whether he might have considered returning to college if drafted earlier or unsigned, but he has opted to move forward with his professional career
. In summary, Shedeur Sanders' fall in the draft was due to a combination of poor pre-draft interactions, overconfidence, family influence, scouting concerns, and personality issues, but he remains a promising NFL prospect with the Cleveland Browns
