The Unthinkable Has Happened: Has Shedeur Sanders Been Drafted?
The 2025 NFL draft has been full of surprises, but perhaps none more shocking than the free fall of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Despite being rated as the No. 5 draft prospect by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., has Shedeur Sanders been drafted? As of now, he remains undrafted after three rounds.
Coach Payton Sounds Off: “What’s Going On Here?”
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton has known Sanders since the young quarterback was in junior high and attended Colorado’s pro day earlier this month. Payton expressed his surprise at Sanders’ availability, saying, “We sat there. I watched right behind him throwing. … He had an outstanding pro day. I think we all are surprised, and yet the talent — holy cow, if you’re a team that needs a quarterback.”
NFL Execs Weigh In: “This Guy’s Got Game”
New England Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf shared Payton’s surprise, saying, “It’s surprising. We evaluated him. I had the opportunity to watch him play against Oklahoma State this year. … It was interesting to see that he’s still available, and I’m sure there’s going to be a fit for him tomorrow.”
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised Sanders’ character, saying, “I watched two or three ballgames with [Shedeur]. So with my knowledge, I know where the character is there, and boy, it is great character. It is an unbelievable competitive winning character for sports.”
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry, who selected Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel ahead of Sanders at No. 94, said Sanders was nonetheless impressive during the predraft process. “The time that we spent with Shedeur and what he’s done throughout his college career is impressive,” Berry said. “He’s an impressive young man. He’s a really good quarterback.”
Sanders’ Fate Hangs in the Balance
As the NFL draft enters its final rounds on Saturday, the question remains: has Shedeur Sanders been drafted? Despite concerns about his character off the field, Sanders has shown incredible talent and dedication to his craft. Will he find a home with an NFL team, or will he have to explore other options? Only time will tell.
Payton’s Warning: “Beware of the Chip on His Shoulder”
Payton referenced last year as an example of the volatility of the draft, when the Broncos used the No. 12 selection to make Bo Nix the sixth quarterback selected in the first round. “But I think it’s hard for any of us to explain what other people are looking for. We focus on what we’re looking for,” Payton said. “It’s surprising [Sanders is still available].”
Payton also noted that Sanders will likely have a chip on his shoulder after falling further than expected in the draft. “He’s going to, like there’ll be this chip on his shoulder, and beware because this guy is going to play in this league,” Payton said.
The Road Ahead: Can Sanders Prove Himself?
Shedeur Sanders’ free fall in the 2025 NFL draft has been a surprise to many, including coaches and executives around the league. Despite his impressive talent and dedication to his craft, has Shedeur Sanders been drafted? As the draft enters its final rounds on Saturday, Sanders will be hoping to hear his name called and start his NFL career. Will he find a home with an NFL team, or will he have to explore other options? Only time will tell.
A Cautionary Tale: The Draft is Full of Surprises
The 2025 NFL draft has been full of surprises, and Shedeur Sanders’ free fall is just one of many storylines that will continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks. As the draft comes to a close, teams will begin to assemble their rosters and prepare for the upcoming season. For Sanders and other undrafted players, the journey is far from over. They will have to work hard to prove themselves and earn a spot on an NFL team. The road ahead will be challenging, but for those who are willing to put in the work, the reward could be a successful NFL career.
The Final Verdict: What’s Next for Sanders?
As the dust settles on the 2025 NFL draft, has Shedeur Sanders been drafted? His future remains uncertain. Will he be picked up by an NFL team in the later rounds, or will he have to look elsewhere for opportunities? One thing is certain: Sanders has the talent and determination to succeed at the next level. It’s now up to him to prove it.
Source: ESPN
