The NFL Draft has a way of rewriting narratives in a matter of hours—and on Thursday night at Lambeau Field, Shedeur Sanders learned that firsthand. Once hailed as a potential top quarterback in the 2025 class, Sanders watched from his home in Texas as all 32 first-round picks were announced—and none included his name.
Shedeur Sanders didn’t go in Round 1— and this is why it didn’t shock league scouts
Shedeur Sanders, flanked by his father Deion Sanders and brother Deion Jr., chose not to attend the draft in person. Instead, he witnessed a humbling moment unfold in real time, captured by cameras and shared widely on social media. Despite the disappointment, Sanders kept his head up. “We all didn't expect this, of course, but I feel like with God, anything possible, everything possible,” he said in a video message. “All of this is, of course, fuel to the fire… Tomorrow's the day. We going to be happy regardless. Legendary.”
For a player so deeply embedded in the spotlight—due to both his on-field performance and off-field persona—the lack of a first-round call felt jarring to many. But within league circles, this outcome wasn’t a shock. Personnel executives, scouts, and head coaches had long been lukewarm on Sanders’ overall projection, even as hype from media and fans painted a different picture.
The reality? NFL teams simply didn’t view him as a first-round quarterback. Not because of a singular flaw, but because of a series of nuanced concerns that, collectively, lowered his stock.
Shedeur Sanders helped engineer a major turnaround at Colorado, turning a dormant football program into a media sensation alongside his Hall of Fame father. He finished eighth in Heisman voting in 2024 and often showed grit and toughness under duress. But NFL front offices are less interested in storylines and more focused on what translates to the next level.
Scouts questioned Sanders' arm strength and deep-ball velocity, describing them as “good but not great.” At his pro day, shorter throws reportedly fluttered—a red flag in a league where precision is paramount. His mobility, while decent, doesn’t offer the dual-threat upside teams increasingly covet. And despite a poor offensive line at Colorado, concerns remain about how he reacts under pressure. The volume of sacks he took raised questions about his pocket awareness and adaptability, both crucial at the pro level.
Then there’s the intangible piece. While Sanders’ confidence is unmistakable, some NFL evaluators came away from pre-draft interviews unconvinced of his leadership maturity. According to The Ringer’s Todd McShay, teams “didn’t leave their interactions with Sanders feeling like he was concerned about their evaluation of him.” Josina Anderson reported that he was described by some position coaches as “brash” and “arrogant.” Whether fair or not, such feedback often reinforces pre-existing doubts about readiness to lead an NFL locker room.
When the New York Giants selected Jaxson Dart with the 25th overall pick—after trading up to secure him—the writing was on the wall. By that point, Cam Ward had already gone No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. That left Sanders, once forecasted as a top-three pick, watching prospects fly off the board without a call.
NFL insiders had sensed this coming. The Athletic polled 10 high-level personnel members on draft night—none were surprised by Sanders’ slide. In fact, several shared that they had graded him behind all six quarterbacks taken in the 2024 first round. One noted he would’ve been a third-rounder in a deeper class.
Teams like the Saints and Steelers—both potential QB suitors—opted for other positions. Meanwhile, clubs like the Raiders and Jets had already committed to veteran options. By the time the Giants landed Dart, Sanders' available destinations had shrunk significantly.
While the optics of Day 1 weren’t ideal, Sanders’ story is far from over. He remains a high-upside developmental prospect with experience, pedigree, and plenty of motivation. Teams like the Browns, Rams, Seahawks, and Saints hold multiple Day 2 picks and could easily make a move. His slide could prove a blessing in disguise—allowing him to grow behind a veteran, away from the pressure cooker of a franchise savior role.
More importantly, he still has a shot to write his own NFL narrative. “All of this is… fuel to the fire,” he said—and if Sanders channels Thursday night’s snub into growth and focus, this moment might eventually be remembered not as a setback, but as a turning point.
The NFL didn’t want Sanders on its biggest stage—at least not yet. But the real stage is just beginning to take shape.
Also Read: Old Shedeur Sanders video teasing Travis Hunter gains attention after Jaguars’ surprising NFL Draft pick
Shedeur Sanders didn’t go in Round 1— and this is why it didn’t shock league scouts
Shedeur Sanders, flanked by his father Deion Sanders and brother Deion Jr., chose not to attend the draft in person. Instead, he witnessed a humbling moment unfold in real time, captured by cameras and shared widely on social media. Despite the disappointment, Sanders kept his head up. “We all didn't expect this, of course, but I feel like with God, anything possible, everything possible,” he said in a video message. “All of this is, of course, fuel to the fire… Tomorrow's the day. We going to be happy regardless. Legendary.”
🚨BREAKING: SHEDEUR SANDERS SPEAKS FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT NOT GETTING DRAFTED IN THE 1ST ROUND.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 25, 2025
“WE ALL DIDN’T EXPECT THIS…JUST MORE FUEL TO THE FIRE”
“Tomorrow is the day; we going to be happy regardless”
pic.twitter.com/KBGkRJZguX
For a player so deeply embedded in the spotlight—due to both his on-field performance and off-field persona—the lack of a first-round call felt jarring to many. But within league circles, this outcome wasn’t a shock. Personnel executives, scouts, and head coaches had long been lukewarm on Sanders’ overall projection, even as hype from media and fans painted a different picture.
The reality? NFL teams simply didn’t view him as a first-round quarterback. Not because of a singular flaw, but because of a series of nuanced concerns that, collectively, lowered his stock.
Shedeur Sanders helped engineer a major turnaround at Colorado, turning a dormant football program into a media sensation alongside his Hall of Fame father. He finished eighth in Heisman voting in 2024 and often showed grit and toughness under duress. But NFL front offices are less interested in storylines and more focused on what translates to the next level.
Scouts questioned Sanders' arm strength and deep-ball velocity, describing them as “good but not great.” At his pro day, shorter throws reportedly fluttered—a red flag in a league where precision is paramount. His mobility, while decent, doesn’t offer the dual-threat upside teams increasingly covet. And despite a poor offensive line at Colorado, concerns remain about how he reacts under pressure. The volume of sacks he took raised questions about his pocket awareness and adaptability, both crucial at the pro level.
Then there’s the intangible piece. While Sanders’ confidence is unmistakable, some NFL evaluators came away from pre-draft interviews unconvinced of his leadership maturity. According to The Ringer’s Todd McShay, teams “didn’t leave their interactions with Sanders feeling like he was concerned about their evaluation of him.” Josina Anderson reported that he was described by some position coaches as “brash” and “arrogant.” Whether fair or not, such feedback often reinforces pre-existing doubts about readiness to lead an NFL locker room.
When the New York Giants selected Jaxson Dart with the 25th overall pick—after trading up to secure him—the writing was on the wall. By that point, Cam Ward had already gone No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. That left Sanders, once forecasted as a top-three pick, watching prospects fly off the board without a call.
NFL insiders had sensed this coming. The Athletic polled 10 high-level personnel members on draft night—none were surprised by Sanders’ slide. In fact, several shared that they had graded him behind all six quarterbacks taken in the 2024 first round. One noted he would’ve been a third-rounder in a deeper class.
Teams like the Saints and Steelers—both potential QB suitors—opted for other positions. Meanwhile, clubs like the Raiders and Jets had already committed to veteran options. By the time the Giants landed Dart, Sanders' available destinations had shrunk significantly.
While the optics of Day 1 weren’t ideal, Sanders’ story is far from over. He remains a high-upside developmental prospect with experience, pedigree, and plenty of motivation. Teams like the Browns, Rams, Seahawks, and Saints hold multiple Day 2 picks and could easily make a move. His slide could prove a blessing in disguise—allowing him to grow behind a veteran, away from the pressure cooker of a franchise savior role.
More importantly, he still has a shot to write his own NFL narrative. “All of this is… fuel to the fire,” he said—and if Sanders channels Thursday night’s snub into growth and focus, this moment might eventually be remembered not as a setback, but as a turning point.
The NFL didn’t want Sanders on its biggest stage—at least not yet. But the real stage is just beginning to take shape.
Also Read: Old Shedeur Sanders video teasing Travis Hunter gains attention after Jaguars’ surprising NFL Draft pick
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