Once pegged as a potential top-three pick by several analysts ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders’ dramatic slide to the fifth round left many in the NFL world scratching their heads.
The former Colorado quarterback, once considered a top prospect, was ultimately selected 144th overall by the Cleveland Browns, marking one of the most surprising drops in recent draft memory.
So, what exactly led to Sanders’ shocking fall?
USA TODAY Sports spoke with three NFL executives who offered their insights into the series of events that may have impacted Sanders’ stock.
“It’s never strictly football. There are always other factors involved,” one executive said.
Another executive suggested that Sanders’ relationship with his father, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, may have played a significant role.
“I think his dad’s involvement hurt him,” the executive said, taking a stance that many in the football world seem to agree with.
Deion Sanders, known for his high-profile and often controversial persona, was seen by several executives as a shadow over the draft process.
One NFL insider was blunt, saying, “I think he had some bad advice from his father.”
However, not all executives attributed Sanders’ draft slide to his father.
“It was talent-based. There were other factors, but you can’t chalk it all up to that,” an NFC executive said, agreeing with the popular opinion that Sanders was simply not a first-round talent.
Many teams raised concerns about Sanders’ performance on the field, particularly his tendency to hold the ball too long, which contributed to a staggering 94 sacks during his last two college seasons.
Additionally, some questioned his ability to read defenses, and others described his arm strength as “good, not great.”
Off-field factors also played a major role in the evaluation process.
Sanders’ public brand-building efforts, flashy lifestyle choices – including his beloved luxury watches — and his decision to turn down interviews left some teams frustrated.
One executive commented, “It’s not about being a brand. It’s about being a teammate and earning a job.”
Reports surfaced suggesting Sanders had refused to interview with at least one team selecting outside the top five, reportedly saying, “You’ve already got a quarterback.”
He also skipped the NFL Combine and avoided in-depth interviews, moves that led some to question his commitment to the NFL process.
While some high-profile quarterbacks have skipped similar steps and still gone early, Sanders’ polarizing reputation seemed to alienate some teams.
That said, not all teams were dissuaded by Sanders’ perceived shortcomings.
An AFC executive revealed that Sanders was rated as a “capable starter” and the second-best quarterback prospect behind top pick Cam Ward.
However, even this executive admitted that they didn’t scout Sanders extensively, expecting him to be drafted early by a team in need of a quarterback – which, of course, did not happen.
Despite his unexpected fall, Sanders now enters the NFL with a massive chip on his shoulder and the potential for redemption.
Unfortunately for him, he now joins a very crowded quarterback room in Cleveland where it may be hard for him to see much action.
“The best thing to happen might be to get away from his father and be on his own,” another executive stated, suggesting that a fresh start may allow Sanders to flourish in his own right.
Sanders will report to Browns rookie minicamp, where he will compete for reps and try to prove all of the doubters wrong.
What are your thoughts on the eye-opening comments made by these NFL executives? … At the end of the day, how do you think Sanders’ career will play out???
