NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Shedeur Sanders, a standout quarterback from Colorado with a famous father in the NFL Hall of Fame, experienced a surprising turn of events during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite being a highly touted prospect, Sanders was not among the top 10 picks as many had predicted. Instead, he fell several spots from his projected placement, leaving many experts and fans surprised.
The Tennessee Titans kicked off the draft by selecting Miami’s Cam Ward as the only quarterback in the top 10 picks. Sanders, who had been linked to teams like the New Orleans Saints, found himself not among the early selections. The Saints, who were rumored to be eyeing a quarterback, opted for Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick.
Leading up to the draft, there was speculation about where Sanders might land, with mock drafts projecting him to go as high as the 21st pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, as the draft unfolded, it became clear that Sanders was not a consensus pick for many experts. Dane Brugler, a draft analyst, suggested that Sanders could either be a top-six selection or slide out of the first round entirely.
Throughout his collegiate career, Sanders showcased his talent, amassing impressive numbers and playing alongside his brother Shilo and Heisman winner Travis Hunter. Despite his accomplishments on the field, Sanders faced uncertainty heading into the draft, with teams like the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers being potential landing spots.
The Steelers, in particular, had a void to fill at the quarterback position, leading to speculation about Sanders joining the team. However, as the draft unfolded, Sanders’s name was not called in the first round. With his father, Deion Sanders, watching closely, Shedeur’s journey through the draft process took an unexpected turn, leaving fans and analysts alike intrigued about what the future holds for the talented quarterback.