Shedeur Sanders Snubbed in NFL Draft First Round: What Really Happened and What’s Next
The 2025 NFL Draft delivered one of the most jaw-dropping moments on Thursday night as Shedeur Sanders, the talented quarterback from the University of Colorado and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, shockingly went undrafted in the first round—a twist no one saw coming, not even his own family.
Once tipped as a potential No. 1 overall pick, Shedeur’s unexpected draft slide has become one of the biggest talking points of the event, sparking debates across sports media and social platforms.
“We Didn’t Expect This” – The Sanders Family Reacts
In a heartfelt video shared by his brother Deion Sanders Jr., Shedeur opened up about the emotional rollercoaster. “We all didn’t expect this,” he admitted. “But with God, everything is possible. This didn’t happen for no reason. It’s just more fuel to the fire.”
Despite the disappointment, Shedeur remained grounded and optimistic, calling Friday “our day” and vowing that his journey was only beginning. “We going to be happy regardless. Legendary.”
A Hint of Foreshadowing?
Interestingly, Sanders may have sensed the shift in momentum. Just hours before the draft began, he posted a cryptic message on social media:
“I’m built for whatever today may bring.”
It seems he was indeed prepared for the unexpected.
A Draft Day Shock: Big Numbers, Big Snub
Sanders wasn’t just any quarterback. He led the Big 12 Conference with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns, earning the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year title. Over his college career, he threw for an impressive 14,347 yards, 134 touchdowns, and only 27 interceptions across 50 games.
Still, despite his stellar stats, teams like the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers—all quarterback-needy—passed on him.
Instead, former Miami star Cam Ward was picked first overall by the Tennessee Titans, and the New York Giants surprised many by trading back into the first round to snag Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss at pick No. 25.
Deion Sanders’ Bold Prediction Backfires
Just last year, Coach Prime himself had boldly tweeted that Shedeur would be a top-five pick. That post quickly resurfaced and attracted a community note after Thursday’s stunning outcome.
The Character Question: Hidden Red Flags?
In the weeks leading up to the draft, Shedeur’s stock started to slip—not due to talent, but personality concerns.
An anonymous NFL coach told NFL Network,
“He’s so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks, never plays on time, shows poor body language, and blames teammates.”
Another AFC executive echoed those concerns, calling his interview “challenging,” saying Shedeur appeared more interested in dictating terms than being part of a team.
While these reports remain anonymous and speculative, they may have heavily influenced team decisions on draft night.
What’s Next for Shedeur Sanders?
Though he may have fallen out of the first round, Shedeur is far from out of the game. Day 2 of the NFL Draft presents new opportunities—and perhaps a better fit with a team that values his potential and drive.
This isn’t the end. It might just be the start of a redemption arc that turns critics into believers. After all, some of the NFL’s biggest stars—like Tom Brady and Russell Wilson—were also overlooked early on.
