In one of the most talked-about storylines of the 2025 NFL Draft, highly anticipated quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders shockingly remained undrafted through the first two rounds, sending ripples through the sports world and sparking widespread debate among fans, analysts, and insiders.
Coming into the draft, Sanders—son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders—was widely projected to be among the top quarterbacks off the board. With a strong college career, impressive statistics, and a reputation for leadership, many believed Sanders would be a first-round pick. Yet, as names were called and teams made their selections, Sanders remained on the sidelines.
Instead, quarterbacks like Tyler Shough, picked up by the New Orleans Saints in the second round, and Ole Miss standout Jaxson Dart heard their names called earlier, leaving many to question what led to Sanders’ unexpected slide.
While no official explanation has been given, speculation abounds. Some analysts point to team-specific needs and system fit. Others suggest that Sanders’ outspoken personality and strong confidence may have clashed with the conservative expectations NFL teams often have for quarterback demeanor. His leadership style—charismatic, bold, and unapologetically self-assured—has drawn comparisons to polarizing figures in the league’s past, raising questions about whether image and attitude still influence draft decisions more than they should.
The incident has reignited broader conversations about the often opaque and subjective criteria used by NFL franchises when evaluating quarterback talent. Many fans and commentators have raised concerns over potential bias—whether racial, stylistic, or cultural—when it comes to how Black quarterbacks, in particular, are judged during the pre-draft process.
“Shedeur’s draft slide is a case study,” said one analyst during ESPN’s live coverage. “It’s not just about his arm or stats. It’s about how the NFL still views leadership and what it expects a quarterback to ‘look’ and ‘act’ like.”
As Sanders now waits for his name to be called in the later rounds, one thing is clear: the spotlight on him has only grown brighter. Wherever he lands, the team that selects him may be getting one of the biggest steals of the 2025 draft—and perhaps the most motivated player to prove the doubters wrong.
