Why Shedeur Sanders Didn't Go Early - NFL Draft Surprise

The buzz around Shedeur Sanders' draft position was, well, pretty big, wasn't it? For many folks who follow football, his slide in the 2025 NFL draft really caught their eye, and it's easy to see why. This unexpected turn of events became one of the most talked-about moments in sports this year, so far, and for a very good reason, too.

Before the big day, lots of talk had Shedeur, with his famous last name and connection to Deion Sanders, as a likely first-round pick. Yet, as the draft unfolded, things took a rather different turn than many had guessed, leaving a lot of people scratching their heads and wondering what exactly happened. It was, in a way, a surprise to many who had followed his journey and heard the early predictions about his professional future.

So, the question of why this young quarterback, once thought to be a top pick, ended up waiting so long to hear his name called, is that, a really interesting story. There are quite a few layers to peel back when we think about why he had such a significant drop in the 2025 NFL draft, and we’ll look at all the pieces that contributed to this outcome, trying to get a clearer picture of the situation, which is, honestly, quite a bit more involved than it might seem at first glance.

Table of Contents:

Who is Shedeur Sanders, Anyway?

For those who might not know him, Shedeur Sanders is, you know, a name that carries some weight in the football world. He’s a quarterback, and he played his college football at Colorado, which is where his dad, Deion Sanders, also known as Coach Prime, leads the team. This family connection, by the way, often puts him in the spotlight, and that's something that, well, everyone talks about quite a bit. He’s been a topic of conversation for a while, especially leading up to the draft, so it’s pretty natural for people to be curious.

People were really curious about where he'd land, considering his background and his position on the field. It’s almost like he’s grown up around the game, and that’s a big part of his story. His father's fame in the National Football League, as a player and now as a coach, certainly brought a lot of extra attention to Shedeur's own path, making his journey something many eyes were following, perhaps more closely than usual for a college player.

NameShedeur Sanders
PositionQuarterback
College TeamColorado Buffaloes (formerly Jackson State)
Family ConnectionSon of NFL legend and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders

Why is Shedeur Sanders Not Getting Drafted - The Unexpected Slide

The story of Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL draft is, in some respects, one of the biggest talking points of the entire sports calendar so far. Many folks, you know, really expected him to be picked quite early, perhaps even in the very first round. However, what actually happened was a rather noticeable drop in his draft position, which, honestly, surprised a lot of people who had been following his career and the pre-draft chatter. This unexpected turn of events certainly sparked a lot of conversation and questions among fans and analysts alike, as the reasons behind such a significant change in outlook are not, by any means, simple.

There are, it seems, many different aspects to consider when trying to figure out why the quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, experienced such a big fall in the 2025 NFL draft. It wasn't just one single thing, but more like a collection of different elements that, when put together, painted a picture different from what many had initially imagined. People were really trying to understand the full picture, asking themselves, you know, what could possibly lead to such a change in a player's perceived value?

What Were the Early Projections for Shedeur Sanders?

Before the 2025 NFL draft even began, Shedeur Sanders was, quite often, predicted to be chosen in the first round. This prediction was, you know, largely based on a couple of key things. One was his name being widely recognized, which is something that tends to happen when you're a prominent player. The other, perhaps even bigger factor, was his family connection, specifically being the son of Deion Sanders, a true legend in the NFL and, of course, the head coach at Colorado. That kind of background certainly brings a lot of attention and, you know, expectations along with it.

People were talking about him as a player who would go early, probably because of the spotlight that naturally shone on him. However, as the draft went on, other quarterbacks, like Jaxson Dart, for instance, were selected, and that started to change the outlook a bit. It’s almost like the initial ideas about where he’d land started to shift as teams made their actual choices, which can be, you know, a bit unpredictable in the draft process anyway.

Why is Shedeur Sanders Not Getting Drafted - Team Preferences and Other Quarterbacks

A big part of why Shedeur Sanders might not have gone as high as some thought had to do with what different teams were looking for and who else was available. Some of the talk was that he was never, you know, really a primary target for certain teams. It seems that many teams, in fact, spent their time and effort looking at other players, perhaps focusing on different qualities or fits for their own rosters. This suggests that the interest level from some clubs wasn't as high as the public chatter might have led us to believe, which is, you know, something that happens in the draft.

For example, the Tennessee Titans, they picked Cam Ward, so that meant they were out of the running for a quarterback, basically. Then, the New York Giants, they ended up really liking Jaxson Dart and chose him. On top of that, the Giants already had two experienced quarterbacks on their roster, so their need for another one might have been, you know, less urgent than some other teams. This kind of situation, where teams fill their needs with other players, can definitely affect where someone like Shedeur ends up getting picked.

It’s also worth noting that, in some ways, it wasn't the most competitive market for quarterbacks in that particular NFL draft. What I mean is, there weren't a huge number of teams absolutely desperate for a starting quarterback, which can sometimes make players fall a bit further than expected. So, when you combine teams having other players they preferred and a market that wasn't, you know, screaming for quarterbacks, it creates a rather interesting dynamic for someone like Shedeur Sanders, which could be part of the reason for his draft outcome.

What Worries Did NFL Teams Have About Shedeur Sanders' Skills?

One of the most talked-about reasons why Shedeur Sanders might have fallen in the draft relates to what NFL teams thought about his particular abilities and his physical attributes. There were concerns, apparently, about his overall collection of skills. For instance, some people wondered about the power behind his throws, which is often called arm strength. That’s a pretty important trait for a quarterback, so any questions there could, you know, make teams think twice.

Then there was, perhaps, his height, which is another physical characteristic that teams often look at very closely for quarterbacks. Some modern quarterbacks are known for being quite tall, and if a player doesn't quite measure up in that area, it can be something teams consider. Also, in today's game, many top quarterbacks are quite good at running with the ball, adding another dimension to their play. It seems that Shedeur, perhaps, isn't as much of a runner as some of these other modern quarterbacks are, and that might have been a point of discussion for teams, too, you know.

Beyond specific traits, it was also mentioned that some teams, quite directly, just didn’t seem to like Shedeur Sanders as a potential player for their team. This isn't about one specific skill, but rather an overall feeling about him as a prospect. When a team doesn't have a good feeling about a player for whatever reason, it can definitely impact their decision, and that's, you know, a pretty significant factor in the draft process, basically.

Shedeur Sanders' Draft Day Choice - Did It Play a Part?

Another interesting aspect of this whole situation is that Shedeur Sanders was not actually present at the 2025 NFL draft event in Green Bay. This is something that, you know, got some attention. Instead of being there in person, Shedeur, it was revealed, planned to be either in Boulder, Colorado, or Dallas, Texas, during the event, basically. He shared that he and his family would have a watch party, either in Colorado or Dallas, which is a different approach than what many top prospects choose.

In the days leading up to the draft, a video from a media outlet showed that he and his brother, Shilo, were also involved in some other activities. While not being picked yet, Shedeur Sanders, who played for both Jackson State and Colorado, was still a big topic of conversation throughout the 2025 NFL draft. People were constantly asking, you know, why isn't the Colorado quarterback being chosen, especially for two days straight as the draft continued and his name wasn't called. His absence from the main event might have, in a way, contributed to some of the discussion around him, as people tend to notice when a highly anticipated player isn't there.

The "Code Switch" Idea - Why is Shedeur Sanders Not Getting Drafted?

Commentator Emmanuel Acho offered his own thoughts on the discussion surrounding Shedeur Sanders, adding another perspective to the conversation. He suggested that part of the reason Shedeur's draft position fell was because, in Acho's view, he didn't "code switch." This idea, which Acho brought up, basically means that he believes Shedeur didn't adjust his public persona or communication style to fit what might be expected in certain professional settings, such as those related to the NFL draft process. It's, you know, a rather specific point of view, but it certainly added to the ongoing discussion about why he wasn't selected earlier.

Acho, you know, really spent a lot of time thinking about this, even staying up late to mull over his reasons. He mentioned having three main points to explain his perspective on why Shedeur didn't get drafted in the first round. This theory suggests that it wasn't just about on-field performance or physical attributes, but also about how a player presents themselves and adapts to different environments, which, you know, can be a factor for some people in the professional sports world.

The Final Landing Spot - Shedeur Sanders and the Browns

After much anticipation and discussion, the Cleveland Browns, you know, confirmed through their official social media that they had chosen quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This selection happened as the 144th overall pick in the fifth round of the draft, on Saturday, April 26th. So, while there was a lot of talk about his fall, he did indeed find a team, which is, you know, the ultimate goal for any player hoping to make it to the professional level. It was a moment that, perhaps, brought some clarity after days of speculation.

As it turned out, the difference between where he was initially projected and where he actually landed was, you know, much, much bigger than many had foreseen. Shedeur himself had, apparently, posted something on social media the Thursday before, which also added to the public conversation about his draft status. Despite all the chatter and the fact that he wasn't picked earlier, Shedeur Sanders remained a significant topic throughout the 2025 NFL draft, with many eyes on his situation until he finally heard his name called by the Browns.

This article explored the various reasons behind Shedeur Sanders' unexpected slide in the 2025 NFL draft. We looked at his background and early projections for a high draft pick, contrasting them with the actual outcome. We discussed how team preferences and the choices of other quarterbacks played a role, alongside specific concerns NFL teams reportedly had about his skills, such as arm strength, height, and running ability. The piece also touched on his decision not to attend the draft in person and the "code switch" theory offered by Emmanuel Acho, finally noting his selection by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round.

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