- Projected Day 1 pick falls to draft's final day
- Undersized QB took nearly 100 sacks in two college seasons
- Four quarterbacks with lower pre-draft rankings selected earlier
The 2025 NFL Draft delivered its most jaw-dropping storyline as Shedeur Sanders, Colorado's record-setting quarterback, watched 102 players get selected without hearing his name. Despite completing 72% of passes at Colorado – the best career mark in FBS history – teams repeatedly passed on the polarizing prospect. The White House even weighed in Friday, with former President Trump calling the snub a disgrace to footballon Truth Social.
Scouts consistently flagged Sanders' 6'1frame as problematic in today's prototype-driven QB market. This criticism persists despite Oregon's Dillon Gabriel (5'11) being drafted 89th overall – a decision that left Broncos coach Sean Payton shaking his head. There will be this chip on his shoulder,Payton warned. Beware because this guy's going to play in this league.
Three critical industry insights explain Sanders' slide beyond physical measurements:
- Pocket Presence Premium: Teams now prioritize quick-release QBs after Cincinnati's success with rapid-processing Joe Burrow
- Age Bias: At 23, Sanders is considered oldcompared to 20-year-old draftee Jaxson Dart
- System Concerns: Colorado's spread offense didn't require NFL-style progression reads
The Tennessee Titans' selection strategy offers a regional case study. Despite needing QB depth, GM Ran Carthon prioritized defensive line help with their 103rd pick – a move reflecting the SEC's growing influence on evaluating pro-ready talent.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah maintains Sanders remains his 20th-best available prospect, citing the QB's 9.2 yards per attempt against Power Five opponents. However, ESPN's Jeff Legwold notes 38% of Sanders sacks resulted from holding the ball over 3 seconds – a critical red flag for West Coast offense teams.
As Day 3 begins, the Jacksonville Jaguars (pick 114) and Las Vegas Raiders (126) emerge as potential landing spots. Both run quarterback-friendly systems that could maximize Sanders' elite short-area accuracy while masking mobility limitations.