Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Fate Remains Uncertain After First Round Snub
According to a report by ESPN, Shedeur Sanders, the highly touted quarterback prospect, was not selected in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night, despite being considered one of the biggest wild cards entering the event. As reported by ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Sanders, who enjoyed a prolific 2024 season at Colorado, posting an all-time FBS record with a 71.8% career completion rate, will have to wait until Friday night to learn his fate.
In a video posted to social media after the completion of the first round, Sanders admitted that he did not expect to go undrafted on Thursday but appeared upbeat, as quoted by ESPN. “We all didn’t expect this, of course,” Sanders said. “But I feel like with God, anything’s possible — everything’s possible. I don’t feel like this happened for no reason. All this is of course fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance — we all know this shouldn’t have happened. But we understand, we’re on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We’re gonna be happy regardless.”
As noted by ESPN, Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, was among the most debated prospects entering the draft. He also is a unique prospect in terms of his huge celebrity and personality, matched only by his immense confidence. Whether any of those variables played a role in his precipitous fall can’t be known, but Sanders has long acknowledged that he isn’t your garden-variety prospect.
As reported by ESPN, Sanders declined an invitation to attend the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, opting to spend the evening in his native Texas with family and a number of guests. The night did not bring them much to celebrate, however. Earlier on Thursday, Sanders posted on social media, “I’m built for whatever today may bring.” This sentiment was echoed in his comments at the NFL scouting combine in February, where he stated, “You think I’m worried about what critics say or what people have to say? You know who my dad is? They hate on him, too.”
Several teams had been expected to consider Sanders, but ultimately passed on him, according to ESPN. The Cleveland Browns, in need of a quarterback and having traded down from the No. 2 pick, opted for Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. The New Orleans Saints, at No. 9 and with an uncertain quarterback situation, selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks. Later, anticipation built when the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been in protracted talks with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers but have no proven starter on their roster, approached at No. 21. But Pittsburgh went in a different direction, selecting Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
As noted by ESPN, Sanders now is positioned to have a fate similar to some quarterbacks in the past who have surprisingly fallen out of the first round. In 2023, Will Levis, a projected early first-round choice, slipped to Day 2 and was picked by the Tennessee Titans with the first pick of the second round. In 2013, Geno Smith fell out of Round 1 and was picked by the New York Jets at No. 39. An early test case will come right away on Friday night, as the Browns have the 33rd pick — the first selection in the second round — and also own the 36th choice, giving them two potential opportunities to grab Sanders.
The uncertainty surrounding Sanders’ draft fate has sparked debate among NFL fans and analysts. According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Sanders’ confidence and personality have been seen as both assets and liabilities in the eyes of NFL teams. Despite this, Sanders remains optimistic about his future, stating, “If that’s not what you’re trying to do, don’t [pick] me. If you ain’t trying to change the franchise or the culture, don’t [pick] me. You should know history repeats itself over and over and over, and I’ve done it over and over. So, it should be no question.”
As reported by ESPN, Sanders and his father, Deion Sanders, have a track record of success, having changed the fortunes of two college programs, Jackson State and Colorado, in consecutive seasons. Whether this success will translate to the NFL remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Shedeur Sanders’ draft fate will be closely watched on Friday night.
The NFL draft continues on Friday night, with Rounds 2 and 3 taking place. ESPN’s Stephen Holder will provide live updates and analysis throughout the event.
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