GREEN BAY, Wis. — The anticipation continues for Shedeur Sanders as he waits for his name to be called in the NFL draft. After the first three rounds, where 102 picks were made, Sanders finds himself still on the board, with five quarterbacks having been selected ahead of him. His father, Deion Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, has been a prominent figure in his life and his football journey. Deion’s innovative approach to college coaching significantly increased Shedeur’s visibility as he played under his father’s guidance at both Jackson State and Colorado. Last season, Sanders’ impressive performance earned him an eighth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Contrary to the expectations set by some draft analysts, NFL scouts seemed less convinced of Sanders’ abilities. Many mock drafts predicted Sanders would be selected ahead of quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel, yet these athletes found themselves chosen instead. As the draft progressed into the Friday rounds without hearing his name, Sanders took to social media, expressing gratitude despite the disappointment with a post stating, “Thank you GOD for EVERYTHING.”
Had Sanders been taken as a first-round pick, it could have linked him to a lucrative contract potentially worth around $18 million, as was the projection for a quarterback-needy team like the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 21st selection. Unfortunately, should he go in the fourth round, the financial implications suggest a significantly lower rookie deal in the range of $4.9 to $5.3 million. Even before the second round began, ex-President Donald Trump commented on social media, questioning why teams bypassed the opportunity to draft Sanders.
Initially, some analysts regarded Sanders as a more promising prospect than Miami’s Cam Ward, who was ultimately selected as the number one pick by Tennessee. However, some concerns emerged leading up to the draft; Sanders experienced 94 sacks during his college career, his arm strength came into question, and there were doubts about how well he would adapt to playing under a coach other than his father.
Cleveland Browns’ General Manager Andrew Berry, who selected Gabriel in the third round, praised Shedeur’s collegiate achievements, suggesting it’s more about the player’s adaptability post-draft than the position they’re picked. Although Sanders was briefly considered when the New York Giants traded up for the 25th pick, they opted for Dart from Mississippi instead. Furthermore, in Friday’s second round, the New Orleans Saints chose Tyler Shough over Sanders as their new recruit.
The Seahawks picked Jalen Milroe in the third round with the 92nd overall choice, admiring his determination and work ethic. With the 94th pick, Cleveland acquired Dillon Gabriel, a seasoned quarterback with experiences at Oregon, Central Florida, and Oklahoma. Cleveland had five selections within the first three rounds and a notable requirement for a quarterback due to the absence of Deshaun Watson for the incoming season due to an Achilles injury.
Interest from Pittsburgh Steelers appeared promising for Sanders, especially after a pre-draft visit, but they ultimately selected Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round, passing on Sanders. Watching the draft from Canton, Texas, alongside his family, Sanders shared sentiments of optimism, anticipating an outcome that would bring happiness, regardless of the wait.
Another expected first-round talent, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, found himself drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round, partially due to knee-related concerns that lowered his draft stock. Like Sanders, Johnson is motivated to prove himself as a valuable asset in the NFL.
The second round witnessed numerous trades, including Seattle and Miami securing early positions. Seattle elected South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori at number 35, while Miami chose guard Jonah Savaiinaea two selections later. Buffalo rose through the ranks with multiple trades to draft T.J. Sanders, a defensive tackle expected to make an immediate impact.
Ohio State maintained a strong presence in the early rounds, with three additional selections in the second round, raising their tally to seven players within the initial 45 picks. The Buckeyes’ Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson were chosen by Cleveland and New England, respectively, solidifying the university’s dominance.