The trajectory of Shedeur Sanders’ NFL draft prospects took a dramatic downturn, as he plummeted from being considered a potential top-five overall pick to not even cracking the top five quarterbacks selected.
During the first three rounds of the draft, Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel were all chosen ahead of Sanders – a stunning reversal for a player who had been projected as high as the No. 1 quarterback earlier in the pre-draft process.
Following his unexpected slide out of the first round, Sanders acknowledged he was caught off guard, even revealing he’d received a prank call suggesting he would have to “wait a little longer.”
Despite the setback, Sanders expressed gratitude on social media:
“Thank you GOD for EVERYTHING.”
While opportunities to be drafted presented themselves, being passed over by multiple teams in round two underscored his diminished appeal among NFL franchises.
Shough was selected 40th overall by the New Orleans Saints. The third round saw Milroe go at No. 92 to the Seattle Seahawks, and the Cleveland Browns – a team with ample opportunity to draft Sanders – chose Dillon Gabriel just three selections later.
Prior to the draft, reports emerged painting a less favorable picture of Sanders, with one coach reportedly describing their formal meeting as “the worst” and characterizing him as “entitled” and lacking significant talent. It appears this sentiment may be gaining traction among other teams.
With rounds four through seven scheduled for Saturday, featuring over 150 picks remaining, the uncertainty surrounding Sanders’ destination is palpable. The Tennessee Titans will initiate the fourth round at noon ET, though their need for a quarterback is nonexistent.
The Raiders hold the sixth pick in the fourth round; however, predicting where Sanders ultimately lands remains an open question.
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