The pre-draft process began with Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders as 1A and 1B on most big boards. As it turns out, the gap was much, much wider.
While Ward went No. 1 overall to the Titans, as expected, Sanders is falling. He was passed over by the Browns, Giants, and Saints at multiple points early in the draft and slid all the way out of the first three rounds, remaining on the board entering Day 3.
Sanders tweeted Thursday that he is "built for whatever today may bring," perhaps hinting that he knew there would be a wide range of possibilities as he waits to find out his new home, but the degree of his tumble was stunning.
Here's what you need to know about Sanders' slide in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Shedeur Sanders draft slide, explained
Buzz had been building in the days leading up to the draft that Sanders may slide into the back half of the first round or even out of the first round altogether. Reports point to Sanders' skillset, not any character or attitude concerns, as the primary reason.
One anonymous AFC executive recently told Fox Sports that Sanders was "not special to me," while Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported he was "having a really hard time" finding coaches and scouts who had the Colorado star graded as a first-round prospect.
An anonymous coach also recently said Sanders delivered a bad pre-draft interview, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
While some were skeptical of Sanders from the start of the pre-draft process, the fact that the number of quarterback-needy teams was larger than the number of high-level quarterbacks available kept Sanders in most top-10 projections. The Browns, Giants, and Saints all have long-term questions at the position, and the NFL Draft has a long history of teams making desperation quarterback picks.
MORE: Winners and losers from NFL Draft first round
This time, teams at the top of the draft simply didn't think Sanders was worth the investment despite no reported injury concerns for the 23-year-old. It's also unclear whether the potential involvement of Sanders' father, Hall of Famer and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, was of any concern to interested teams, but it's worth keeping in mind teams might not want the attention the Sanders family brings if Shedeur would only be a backup.
A significant number of recent mock drafts projected Sanders slipping to the Steelers with No. 21 pick, according to NFL Mock Draft Database, so the writing was on the wall for a long wait, but Pittsburgh's decision to pass up on him turned the night into a prolonged one for the Colorado standout.
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Who will draft Shedeur Sanders?
The Browns, Giants, and Saints all filled needs at quarterback, so where could the Colorado star actually end up?
At this point, Sanders would be a developmental selection rather than a day one starter. That opens him up to a wide range of potential landing spots. The Raiders and Jets still have long-term questions at the quarterback position and could be possibilities on Day 3, while Steelers owner Art Rooney II's indication Friday that he expects Aaron Rodgers to eventually join the team might close the door on Pittsburgh as a landing spot.
The Rams were known to be evaluating quarterbacks with Matthew Stafford in his late 30s, so they could be an option if Sanders lasts deep into the fourth round, while the Colts are also a possibility given Anthony Richardson's lack of development to this point. Indianapolis does have Daniel Jones on its roster, however.
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