Saturday, March 29, 2025
Colorado Quarterback’s Shocking Plunge Continues After Initial Expectations of First-Round Selection
The NFL draft has taken an unexpected turn for Shedeur Sanders, the highly anticipated quarterback from Colorado, as he remains available in the fourth round after the first three rounds concluded on Friday night. Despite being regarded as a first-round talent, Sanders saw his stock tumble with five quarterbacks picked ahead of him.
Shedeur Sanders, who is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, had been a top contender in draft predictions. After a standout college season where he finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting, Sanders had a significant media presence, largely due to his father’s reputation and his own performance on the field. He led the Colorado Buffaloes to a successful season, helping to revitalize the program.
While many analysts considered Sanders a top-tier quarterback prospect, concerns about his college performance seemed to overshadow his early hype. A major factor contributing to his fall was the high number of sacks he took during the last two seasons, totaling 94. Additionally, scouts raised questions about his arm strength and whether he could perform outside of his father’s coaching system, leading some teams to hesitate in picking him up.
Despite his prominent status and the early buzz, Sanders watched as several quarterbacks were chosen ahead of him, including Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel. Many of these players weren’t expected to be drafted before Sanders, according to most mock drafts. At one point, it seemed like Sanders might be picked by the New York Giants when they traded up to the 25th overall pick, but they instead chose Dart from Mississippi.
New Orleans then selected Shough, a 25-year-old quarterback who played his final college season at Louisville, while Seattle chose Milroe from Alabama in the third round. The Cleveland Browns followed suit, picking Gabriel with the 94th pick after selecting a defensive lineman with their first-round pick.
One of the most surprising aspects of Sanders’ fall was that teams like Pittsburgh, who had a need for a quarterback, passed up the opportunity to select him. Pittsburgh opted for a defensive player in the first round and later picked a running back in the third. As Sanders remains on the board, there is still speculation around where he will end up, with the possibility of a late-round selection.
The NFL draft has not been kind to several players regarded as first-round talents, including Sanders. Despite his frustration, he took to social media during the third round, posting a heartfelt message, “Thank you GOD for EVERYTHING.” Meanwhile, fellow highly-ranked player, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, also saw his draft stock fall after a knee issue, ultimately being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round.
The second round featured a series of trades, with teams like Seattle, Miami, and Buffalo making moves to secure their picks. Several Ohio State players also saw their names called early in the second round, with Judkins and Henderson among the first picks. With seven Ohio State athletes being taken in the first 45 selections, the school continues to be a dominant force in the draft.
As the NFL draft continues, it remains to be seen where Sanders will land, but his fall highlights the unpredictable and often harsh nature of the draft process.
