At one point, Shedeur Sanders was all but a lock to be a Top 5 NFL Draft pick. The Colorado quarterback, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, entered the 2025 draft surrounded by a storm of hype, talent, and expectation. But as the draft unfolded, what started as a surprising slide quickly turned into one of the most shocking storylines of the entire event—and it hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially by one of the league’s brightest stars.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t need to say much. Just one word: “Crazy.” But in that single word, Mahomes summed up what the entire football world was thinking.
It’s hard to wrap your head around how this all happened.
On Thursday night, the first round came and went without Sanders’ name being called. That in itself was a surprise, considering the buzz that once linked him to the New York Giants with the No. 3 overall pick. By the time Friday rolled around, there was hope that he’d be one of the first players taken in the second round. But as the second and third rounds came and went, Sanders remained on the board—waiting, watching, and, in one incredibly disheartening moment, getting prank called by someone pretending to be a team executive.
Yes, that actually happened.
The internet erupted with reactions, disbelief, and frustration. Analysts were left scrambling for answers. How did a player with this much promise—a dynamic, smart, and tough quarterback who lit up college football with big-play ability and leadership—go from a projected Top 5 pick to still being undrafted after three rounds?
Speculation started pouring in. According to several reports, Sanders may have hurt his stock during the pre-draft process, particularly in his interviews with NFL teams. One of the most notable concerns reportedly came from his meeting with the Giants, where sources suggest he didn’t make a strong impression. That conversation may have led head coach Brian Daboll and the Giants front office to completely take Sanders off their board.
Their decisions confirmed the shift. At No. 3, New York went with linebacker Abdul Carter. Then, in a bold move, they traded back into the first round to take quarterback Jaxson Dart—a signal that whatever chance Sanders had with them was officially over.
All of this leaves us asking: What went wrong? Was it really just about interviews? Was there something deeper going on behind closed doors? Or is the league simply overthinking a player who has all the tools to succeed?
Because from a pure talent standpoint, few question Sanders’ upside. He has the arm strength, poise under pressure, football IQ, and mobility to thrive at the next level. And while he might not be a “prototypical” quarterback in the eyes of some old-school scouts, he’s undeniably a playmaker—and someone who brings a spark both on and off the field.
That’s why reactions like Mahomes’ hit so hard. If one of the NFL’s elite passers thinks this slide is “crazy,” maybe teams should listen. Mahomes, known for his own unconventional rise to superstardom, knows a thing or two about being underestimated.
Now, with four rounds remaining, the pressure is mounting. Every passing pick only adds to the drama. Will a team finally step up and take the risk? Or will Shedeur Sanders become one of the most shocking draft omissions in recent history?
At some point, logic says someone has to call his name. But after what we’ve seen so far, nothing feels guaranteed. And that’s what makes this story so surreal.
Wherever Sanders lands—whether late in this draft or as a post-draft signing—you can be sure of one thing: he’s going to remember every single team that passed on him. And judging by his college tape, he may just make them regret it.
This story isn’t over. Not by a long shot.G
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