When the 2025 NFL Draft started, there was some debate as to the place Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders could be chosen. It might have been as excessive as the highest 5, as far down as No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers or perhaps even into the early second spherical if issues actually went sideways for him.
Because it seems, all of these predictions had been flawed.
Badly flawed.
Laughably flawed.
Insanely flawed.
Sanders remained undrafted on Friday night time when the third spherical accomplished.
Not solely did he stay undrafted, however there have been already 5 quarterbacks chosen forward of him. That features first-round quarterbacks Cam Ward (Tennessee) and Jaxson Dart (New York Giants), second-round quarterback Tyler Shough (New Orleans), and third-round quarterbacks Jalen Milroe (Seattle) and Dillon Gabriel (Cleveland).
It’s, fairly frankly, one of the beautiful slides in NFL Draft historical past.
Maybe essentially the most beautiful workforce to go on Sanders is the Steelers. They entered the draft with solely two quarterbacks on their roster — Mason Rudolph and Skyler Thompson — and appeared like a possible touchdown spot for him within the first spherical.
They handed and went with a defensive lineman.
When he was nonetheless accessible to them with their second choose (No. 83 general within the third spherical) it appeared like he might have fallen into their laps.
They handed once more and took working again Kaleb Johnson.
Even groups that wanted developmental quarterbacks (Seattle, New Orleans, Cleveland) went in utterly completely different instructions.
So what precisely has occurred right here?
The primary possible explanation is that perhaps his predraft interviews had been as dangerous because the nameless sources claimed they had been. Taking these experiences critically is at all times a harmful sport, as a result of everyone has a motive and agenda after they converse anonymously.
The second is maybe groups are afraid of the drama that would come from taking Sanders and the presence that his dad, Corridor of Fame cornerback and present Colorado head coach, Deion Sanders might have over his growth. Is that this an instance of NFL groups asserting their energy and making an attempt to humble everyone concerned? It may very well be.
The third, and maybe probably rationalization — perhaps groups simply don’t assume he’s that good. Whereas Sanders was a standout participant in faculty, there have been plenty of productive NCAA quarterbacks who fell far within the draft due to their bodily instruments and abilities. Sanders has an excellent, however not nice arm. He can run, however just isn’t an elite athlete. These are the 2 issues groups search for after they choose a quarterback, particularly excessive within the draft.
No matter the reason being, no one anticipated this. Now the wait continues into Spherical 4 on Saturday.
