Sports World Reacts to Shedeur Sanders’ Stunning Draft Slip/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Shedeur Sanders, once a top quarterback prospect, shockingly remains undrafted heading into the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Analysts, fans, and even political figures have expressed outrage over Sanders’ unexpected fall. Despite the disappointment, Sanders remains confident and hopeful for his NFL future.
Shedeur Sanders Draft Fall Quick Looks
- Sanders, a Heisman finalist, remains undrafted after three rounds.
- Analysts call Sanders’ slide “disgusting” and “shocking.”
- Critics blame “narratives” and pre-draft biases, not on-field play.
- Urban Meyer, Mel Kiper Jr., and Joel Klatt express disbelief.
- Trump and Stephen A. Smith weigh in on Sanders’ NFL future.
- Teams like the Steelers and Raiders rumored to show interest.
- Sanders remains positive, thanking God after third round closes.
- Colorado Buffaloes highlight Sanders’ college success amid draft controversy.
Sports World Reacts to Shedeur Sanders’ Stunning Draft Slip
Deep Look
Shedeur Sanders’ Stunning NFL Draft Fall Stuns Football World: ‘This Is Disgusting’
When the 2025 NFL Draft began, few imagined Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders would still be waiting for his name to be called after three rounds. A Heisman Trophy finalist and widely regarded as a top prospect, Sanders’ unexpected draft slide has left the sports world reeling.
On Friday night, as quarterbacks Tyler Shough (Saints), Jalen Milroe (Seahawks), and Dillon Gabriel (Browns) were selected ahead of him, the disbelief only grew louder. Sanders, considered by many experts to be a second-round lock at worst, heads into Saturday’s final day of the draft still waiting for a team to take a chance.
Analysts Express Outrage
Former NFL coach Urban Meyer, speaking on The Herd, said he was shocked Sanders was passed over, noting his pure passing skills and leadership.
Booger McFarland of ESPN pointedly said during the network’s coverage, “It’s gotta be about more than football.” He emphasized Sanders’ superior ability compared to several quarterbacks selected ahead of him.
Mel Kiper Jr., the longtime draft guru, didn’t mince words either: “I think it’s disgusting. Somebody’s gonna have to explain this to me.”
Joel Klatt, who covered Sanders extensively during his time at Colorado, blamed pre-draft “narratives” that unfairly damaged Sanders’ stock.
“Shedeur represents everything I dislike about the NFL Draft,” Klatt said on NFL Network. “Lazy narratives, anonymous sources, and character critiques not backed by facts. His tape clearly says he should have been picked already.”
Klatt, while criticizing the system, acknowledged that Sanders now has an opportunity for personal reflection, suggesting that his off-field interviews may have impacted his standing with some teams.
Broader Reaction: From Trump to Stephen A. Smith
The backlash wasn’t limited to football insiders. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to express disbelief over Sanders’ fall.
“What is wrong with NFL owners? Are they STUPID?” Trump wrote, praising Shedeur’s “phenomenal genes” and predicting NFL success.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith labeled the situation “a damn disgrace,” while Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton, despite already drafting a quarterback, said he was “shocked” Sanders hadn’t been picked yet.
Staying Positive Amid the Chaos
Despite the emotional rollercoaster, Sanders remains composed. After the third round ended Friday night, Sanders, surrounded by his father Deion Sanders and family, posted a simple but heartfelt message on X:
“Thank you GOD for EVERYTHING.”
That positivity could be crucial as teams still in need of a quarterback, like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders, loom as potential landing spots when the fourth round opens Saturday in Green Bay.
Both franchises were previously linked to Sanders during pre-draft speculation, and both could offer opportunities for immediate development and playing time.
Why the Slide?
While his talent is widely acknowledged — Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Sanders as his top available quarterback heading into Day 3 — anonymous pre-draft concerns about Sanders’ personality and meeting performances may have influenced teams’ decisions.
Klatt emphasized that these criticisms are often exaggerated: “It’s trash narratives built on one bad meeting or a misplaced impression.”
Others point to Sanders’ high-profile status, his relationship with his father Deion Sanders, and his off-field confidence, which may have rubbed some traditionalist NFL decision-makers the wrong way.
Still, many believe that whichever team ultimately drafts Sanders will be getting a potential franchise quarterback — and a massive steal.
What Happens Next?
As the draft enters its final stages, the question isn’t whether Sanders will be drafted, but when and by whom.
Teams like the Steelers and Raiders, both with question marks at quarterback depth, may find it impossible to pass on Sanders’ combination of arm talent, leadership, and poise under pressure.
If Sanders lands with a team willing to nurture his skills and put faith in his ability to mature and grow, this weekend’s shocking fall could one day be remembered as a blessing in disguise.
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