The Unexpected Fall: Why Shedeur Sanders Slipped to the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft will be remembered for many things, but perhaps nothing will stand out more than the shocking slide of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Once projected as a potential first-round selection, Sanders endured what many analysts are calling one of the most dramatic draft falls in NFL history before finally being selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round.

The Pre-Draft Hype

Leading into the draft process, Sanders carried significant momentum. The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders had transformed the programs at both Jackson State and Colorado, putting up impressive numbers while demonstrating NFL-caliber arm talent. Many draft experts projected him as a first-round talent and potentially even a top-15 selection.

His stock appeared solid through the combine and pro day circuit. While not an elite athlete by NFL quarterback standards, his passing acumen and football IQ seemed to position him well in a quarterback class that lacked consensus greatness outside of presumptive number one pick Cameron Ward.

Technical Limitations That Gave Teams Pause

Despite his collegiate success, Sanders’ game presented several concerns for NFL evaluators. While blessed with a strong arm and excellent accuracy in controlled environments, his limited mobility became a significant liability in a league increasingly valuing quarterback athleticism.

In today’s NFL, the ability to extend plays, escape pressure, and create outside the pocket has become nearly essential. When compared to more dynamic options like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe (selected by the Seahawks in the third round), Sanders’ relative immobility represented a substantial drawback.

Another technical concern centered around his pocket presence and decision-making under pressure. At Colorado, Sanders frequently held the ball too long behind a struggling offensive line, leading to unnecessary sacks and rushed decisions. This habit raised red flags for teams worried about his transition to the significantly faster NFL game.

The Intangible Factors

Beyond the on-field concerns, several off-field factors likely contributed to Sanders’ surprising fall. The intense media spotlight that follows the Sanders family created a level of scrutiny and celebrity that some NFL organizations might have viewed as a potential distraction. For a quarterback position that demands leadership and team-first mentality, the perception (fair or not) of Sanders’ personal brand overshadowing team concerns may have given decision-makers pause.

Questions about Sanders’ attitude and coachability also emerged during the pre-draft process. While he demonstrated tremendous confidence in interviews, some teams may have interpreted this as potential resistance to coaching or difficulty adapting to new systems. In a league where quarterback development often hinges on receptiveness to instruction, these concerns could have significantly impacted his stock.

The NFL’s Risk Calculation

Ultimately, the NFL draft represents a complex risk assessment process. Teams must weigh potential rewards against the high cost of draft capital, particularly for quarterbacks who typically require significant development investment. In Sanders’ case, the calculation for many teams tilted toward caution rather than potential reward.

The sequence of quarterback selections ahead of Sanders tells an important story. Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart went to the Giants at No. 25, Louisville’s Tyler Shough to the Saints in the second round, followed by Alabama’s Jalen Milroe to the Seahawks and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel to the Browns in the third round. Each of these selections represented a specific team need paired with a prospect whose skill set or intangibles better matched their organizational vision.

Silver Lining in Cleveland?

Sanders’ landing spot with the Cleveland Browns may ultimately prove fortuitous despite the disappointment of his draft slide. The Browns have established veteran Deshaun Watson entrenched as the starter, providing Sanders valuable development time without immediate pressure to perform. The organization has shown patience with quarterback development, and the chip on Sanders’ shoulder from this draft experience could fuel a determination that transforms his career trajectory.

Cleveland’s offensive system under head coach Kevin Stefanski emphasizes precision passing and timing-based concepts that align well with Sanders’ strengths. Working with an accomplished quarterback developer in Stefanski could help Sanders refine his technical skills while addressing the areas that concerned NFL evaluators.

Historic Context and Future Implications

Sanders’ fall joins other memorable draft slides like Aaron Rodgers (24th overall in 2005) and Lamar Jackson (32nd in 2018) – quarterbacks who used their draft-day disappointment as motivation for stellar NFL careers. The coming years will determine whether Sanders follows a similar redemption arc or becomes a cautionary tale.

For the broader NFL landscape, Sanders’ unexpected availability in the fifth round represents extraordinary value for Cleveland. If he develops into even a capable backup, the selection will be considered a success. Should he eventually emerge as a starter, it could go down as one of the great draft steals in recent memory.

For Sanders himself, the journey has only begun. As Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton noted, the chip on Sanders’ shoulder from this experience could become powerful fuel for his NFL career: “He’s gonna, like, there’ll be this chip on his shoulder, and beware because this guy is going to play in this league.”

The 2025 draft may have delivered Sanders a humbling experience, but history has shown repeatedly that draft position alone doesn’t determine NFL success. The next chapters of Sanders’ football story will be written on practice fields and in NFL stadiums – not in draft rooms. For a player who has built his reputation on proving doubters wrong, this unexpected fall may ultimately provide the perfect motivation for his professional journey.