It was an interesting weekend for Shedeur Sanders.
The former Colorado quarterback, and son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, plummeted down the 2025 NFL Draft board until the fifth round when the Cleveland Browns selected him.
The Browns had earlier selected former Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round.
The Tennessee Titan’s picked former Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the draft’s first overall pick, which was expected.
Jaxson Dart (New York Giants 1st round), Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints 2nd round), Jalen Milroe (Seattle Seahawks 3rd round) and Garbriel all got a nod over Sanders.
What was up?
Before getting into what was the cause, let’s point out what it wasn’t. There have been, and will be, issues concerning the NFL and Black quarterbacks, but this isn’t one. This is something else.
The Travis Hunter connection
I did not hear any NFL pundit or mock draft expert say that Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter made Sanders a better player. Usually, it’s the quarterback that gets this praise. When you have the best receiver on offense, and overwhelming confidence in your defense because you have the best defensive back, your job is easier.
Some teams were concerned that, minus Hunter, Sanders will be pedestrian. I listed this possible reason first because it has been overlooked.
Daddy Deion
Upon conclusion of the 2024-25 NFL season, Deion Sanders stated that the only NFL team he would be interested in serving as head coach would be a team his son(s) played for. Imagine if you are a head coach or general manager and you heard that pronouncement. “I’m not going to draft the son of the guy that has let it be known he wants my job.”
If you drafted Shedeur Sanders, you also drafted Deion Sanders. They are a package deal. The elder Sanders was his son’s offensive coordinator in high school – with obvious influence over the entire program. They then became head coach and quarterback at Jackson State and Colorado, respectively.
It’s unknown how Shedeur Sanders will react to coaching on the NFL level, and with the specter of his father hanging overhead, some teams said “thanks, but no thanks.”
An attitude adjustment
No team or coach has criticized Shedeur Sanders publicly about his attitude and abrasiveness during pre-draft interviews, private workouts, or personal front-office meetings.
There are many anonymous reports that Sanders was a first-class you-know-what.
“He’s so entitled. Worse formal interview of my life,” an NFL exec reportedly said.
As Mike Florio of Peacock’s “Pro Football Talk” says, “there is anonymous opinion and there is anonymous fact.” I think it is factual that some NFL folks felt disrespected after interviewing Sanders.
Talent talks loudest
Shedeur Sanders passed for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, last season, with just 10 interceptions. He also completed over 74% of his passes.
But he held the ball too long and took 52 sacks. He was the most sacked QB in college football for two consecutive seasons. Colorado had a porous offensive line, but not the worst in college football.
Sanders was also not a dynamic rusher of the football in college, which is key to NFL success in today’s game.
Had Sanders graded higher, he would have been selected higher. I think he should have been drafted in the second or third round. His fall to the fifth round has more to do with other factors than his ability.
The Reid Roundup
St. Louis Cardinals centerfielder Victor Scott II has released his second rap album and made a studio appearance on MLB Network’s “MLB Central last week. He was hitting .264 with a home run and 10 RBIs following the Milwaukee series and continued playing sparkling defense…Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker is another story. His .204 batting average is abysmal, and he has just two home runs and 7 RBI…St. Louis native Devin Williams was replaced as New York Yankees closer after melting down against Toronto on April 25…A proposed trade: Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley to Yankees for Williams (1 year $8.6 million contract) and a Yankees starting pitching prospect…The Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks are rumored to want Helsley.