Dramatic Night for Sanders at NFL Draft as Quarterback Awaits His Opportunity
In one of the most astonishing storylines of this year’s NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders remains on the board after three rounds, watching pick after pick go by without hearing his name called. The former Colorado quarterback, once projected to be a top-five selection, has endured a shocking freefall that few—if any—saw coming.
Heading into the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sanders was widely tipped as a potential first-rounder, if not the very first pick. But by the time day one had concluded, he was still waiting. Many assumed Friday would bring redemption, with teams surely snapping him up early in the second round. Instead, the slide only grew more dramatic.
Now, after 102 selections across two days, Sanders’ wait continues—an incredible turn for a player who had once been the favorite to headline the entire event.
The NFL Draft Nightmare No One Predicted for Sanders
The NFL Draft has a history of dramatic slides, but what’s happening to Sanders is beginning to look historic. All 32 teams have now passed on him multiple times, even as other quarterbacks continue to come off the board.
It’s worth remembering that Sanders wasn’t just another prospect. He came into this process with staggering college numbers—boasting the best pass completion rate in the country at 74% and ranking just behind Cam Ward for touchdown passes thrown. His blend of athleticism, poise, and pedigree (he is, after all, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders) made him one of the most talked-about players of the college season.
Yet when it came time for teams to make their selections, Sanders was overlooked again and again. Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, Dillon Gabriel—all quarterbacks projected behind Sanders in many mock drafts—found new homes before him. Even Cam Ward, who overtook Sanders as the draft’s projected No.1 pick back in January, was snapped up immediately by the Tennessee Titans.
The nightmarish fall brings back memories of Aaron Rodgers’ humbling wait in the 2005 draft, when the future four-time MVP famously sat in the green room until the Green Bay Packers finally selected him with the 24th pick. But Sanders’ situation feels even more extreme. Rodgers’ drop was unexpected but still confined to the first round. Sanders is now deep into day three territory.
Social Media Reacts to Sanders’ NFL Draft Slide
The fallout has been swift and noisy, with social media lighting up in support of the young quarterback. Even former President Donald Trump weighed in, posting on his platform: “What is wrong with NFL owners—are they stupid?” It was a sentiment shared by many fans baffled at how Sanders could still be available this late into the NFL Draft.
Sanders himself, however, has taken the high road, posting simply: “Another day, another opportunity to get a chance to play the game I love,” alongside a photo of him training. It’s a message that speaks to resilience and maturity—qualities he’ll need in abundance over the coming days.
Missed Opportunities on Day Two for Sanders
Several teams entered the draft needing quarterbacks, including the Titans, Giants, Browns, Saints, and Steelers. The Titans and Giants made their moves early, securing Ward and Jaxson Dart respectively. Cleveland, with two high picks in the second round, passed on Sanders both times, instead choosing other needs.
New Orleans opted for Shough at No. 40, and the Steelers, who many thought might take a shot on Sanders, selected a running back in Kaleb Johnson instead. Even when Seattle traded up late in the third round to grab Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Sanders was left sitting.
The Browns’ decision to grab Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel shortly after only added salt to the wound. It left the Steelers as the only team that clearly needed a quarterback and hadn’t yet taken one—a glimmer of hope for Sanders, but one that remains uncertain.
What’s Next for Sanders as NFL Draft Winds Down?
So, where does Sanders go from here?
The fourth through seventh rounds of the NFL Draft will be completed on Saturday, and while the talent pool thins considerably at this stage, Sanders represents a rare case of premium upside still available. Whoever eventually selects him will be getting a player who just months ago was viewed as a future face of a franchise.
Pittsburgh, notably, has met with Sanders during the pre-draft process. They’ve also courted veteran Aaron Rodgers, recently released by the New York Jets, signaling that they’re keeping all quarterback options open.
Steelers’ owner Art Rooney II spoke on Friday, saying, “He [Rodgers] does want to come here, so I do think we may get word soon,” before adding, “If we draft a quarterback—and we still might—it’s probably not someone who’s going to start for us this year.”
That final comment is telling. It suggests that even if Sanders lands in Pittsburgh—or anywhere else at this point—it will likely be as a backup, learning and growing behind an established starter.
Still, opportunity is everything. In the NFL, history is full of players who went overlooked on draft day only to thrive when given the chance. Tom Brady famously fell to the sixth round. Brock Purdy, now a star for the 49ers, was the final pick of his draft class. Sanders will be hoping to add his name to that list of late-blooming success stories.
The Final Chapters of the NFL Draft Await Sanders
As the final rounds of the NFL Draft play out, the question isn’t whether Sanders will find a team—it’s when. There are still plenty of picks remaining, and a quarterback with Sanders’ arm, instincts, and competitive fire simply won’t go undrafted.
Wherever he ends up, Sanders will arrive with something that can’t be measured at a combine or in a scout’s notebook: a chip on his shoulder. And often, that’s exactly what turns good players into great ones.
