## Shedeur Sanders’ Unexpected Draft Slide Sparks Controversy
In a stunning turn of events, quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders went undrafted through the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, marking one of the most surprising declines in recent draft history for a player initially considered among the top contenders.
The third round concluded Friday night with five quarterbacks selected, leaving Sanders and his family uncertain about their future prospects. This came after Cam Ward was chosen as the first overall pick on Thursday, leading many to anticipate Sanders would quickly follow as the second quarterback off the board. Instead, Jaxson Dart was scooped up by the New York Giants in a trade-back at pick number 25.
Further selections included Tyler Plough (New Orleans Saints, 40th overall), Jalen Milroe (Seattle Seahawks, 92nd overall) and Dillon Gabriel (Cleveland Browns, 94th overall). Scouts and analysts had consistently projected these players to be drafted later than Sanders, with some initial assessments even ranking him above Ward.
Sanders’ collegiate career was undeniably impressive. He dominated the Big 12 Conference, amassing 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns while earning the title of Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Over 50 college games, he accumulated a remarkable 14,347 passing yards, 134 touchdowns, and just 27 interceptions.
The fact that such a highly-regarded prospect as Sanders slipped out of the third round is exceptionally rare. History offers parallels—Aaron Rodgers was selected at number 25 in 2005 after being passed over by the 49ers for Alex Smith, and Patrick Mahomes waited until pick ten in 2017, with the Bears opting for Mitch Trubisky instead.
“He’s so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates. But the biggest thing is he’s not that good.” – Anonymous NFL Coach to NFL Network
Lamar Jackson also experienced a notable drop, falling to the 32nd pick in 2018 after four quarterbacks were chosen ahead of him.
However, Sanders’ situation—once viewed as a potential number one overall pick—represents an unprecedented anomaly. Adding to the tension, Sanders was subjected to a prank call during a livestream of his family’s draft party on Friday night, where he believed he was receiving news from a general manager.
The caller informed him that he would “have to wait a little longer,” leading to a visible shift in Sanders’ demeanor. The quarterback’s unexpected slide has ignited considerable controversy and debate throughout the NFL community, fueled by pre-draft rumors of his potential fall.
- Key Concerns: According to reports, NFL teams expressed concerns regarding Sanders’ interview performance and playing style.
One anonymous coach told NFL Network that Sanders’ formal interviews were “the worst I’ve ever been in,” citing issues with entitlement, sack avoidance, timing, body language, blame-shifting, and overall skill level.
Another AFC executive echoed these sentiments, stating Sanders’ demeanor was difficult to navigate. “It didn’t go great in our interview. He wants to dictate what he’s going to do and what’s best for him. He makes you feel small.”
Even Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes acknowledged the situation with a simple “Crazy” post on X.
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, criticizing NFL owners as “stupid” for overlooking Sanders and allowing him to fall into the second round. He praised Deion Sanders’ coaching abilities and attributed his son’s potential success to “PHENOMENAL GENES.”
“He should be ‘picked’ IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!” – Donald Trump on Truth Social
Now, Sanders faces the prospect of waiting until day three of the draft—if he is selected at all.
Despite the dramatic slide, Sanders has maintained a composed demeanor. He expressed gratitude in an X post late Friday night: “Thank you GOD for EVERYTHING.”
