The 2025 NFL Draft came and went with plenty of buzz, but few storylines sparked as much debate as the surprising slide of Shedeur Sanders . Once touted as one of the top quarterback prospects in the class, Sanders found himself waiting far longer than most expected, eventually being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. While some critics and pundits suggested deeper-rooted issues like race may have played a role—especially after Cam Ward went No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans—others offered more grounded perspectives.
Shedeur Sanders' draft fall: Not just hype, but a reality check from the NFL
One such voice was ESPN analyst and two-time Super Bowl champion Damien Woody, who didn’t sugarcoat his analysis on Get Up. “I think the NFL sent a message, saying you’re not that dude. Honestly,” Woody remarked bluntly. “The overwhelming message I saw when Shedeur slid to the fifth round, the NFL was basically saying you’re not that guy. You’re good but you’re not that guy.”
Woody’s words highlighted what many NFL scouts and executives may have been thinking but didn’t say outright. The draft is, after all, a meritocracy—or at least it tries to be. As Woody emphasized, “If you’re that guy, they’re gonna pick you in the first round because the NFL and all these teams are in the winning business.” It's a sentiment that has echoed through countless drafts—talent wins, and everything else is secondary.
But for Shedeur Sanders, the evaluation process was complicated. He opted not to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine, a decision that raised eyebrows. Instead, he showcased his skills at a private pro day, an unconventional route that many teams reportedly saw as a red flag. On top of that, multiple reports cited lackluster interviews as a key reason his stock plummeted. Questions around his leadership potential, maturity, and readiness to helm an NFL offense began to swirl—factors that matter deeply when investing in a franchise quarterback.
Woody added another layer to the analysis: Sanders’ growing celebrity profile, fueled by his father Deion Sanders' high-profile coaching career and media visibility. “The NFL clearly felt that Shedeur Sanders was a good prospect but he wasn’t what the young people call, he wasn’t him. And then on top of that, you factor in all the celebrity and everything that comes with Shedeur Sanders... that is the ultimate recipe for why you found yourself in the fifth round.”
Whether fair or not, the perception around Sanders was that of an uncertain investment—a talented player perhaps, but one who might bring more media noise than wins. NFL teams, especially those in need of immediate quarterback answers, weren’t eager to take on the added distractions.
Still, Sanders has taken the fall in stride. Speaking to the media for the first time since being drafted, he remained grounded. “Nothing really affected me the last couple of days,” he said. “I'm favored, I'm blessed. Besides that, it's not really anything that changed. The love of the game is still the love of the game.”
Far from bitterness, Sanders expressed a clear-eyed understanding of what comes next. “I know I gotta clean up some things in my game for me to be at my best, but that’s what I take each offseason one at a time and fix it.” He also made a point to emphasize his commitment to the Browns: “The main thing, I’m just proving — coach (Kevin) Stefanski and (general manager Andrew) Berry — that they are right. That’s it. They’re right about picking me. I’m a good decision.”
Ultimately, Sanders' slide serves as a reminder that the NFL is about more than hype or headlines. Talent matters, but so do interviews, preparation, leadership, and how a player is perceived within a locker room. For Sanders, the draft may have been humbling—but it’s also an opportunity.
The Browns now hold the keys to what could become one of the most talked-about redemption stories in recent draft history. Whether Sanders proves the doubters wrong will depend not on social media followers or televised showcases, but on grit, growth, and game-time execution.
Also Read: Shilo Sanders 'fired' dad Deion Sanders as agent amid outrage over brother Shedeur's NFL Draft fall
Shedeur Sanders' draft fall: Not just hype, but a reality check from the NFL
One such voice was ESPN analyst and two-time Super Bowl champion Damien Woody, who didn’t sugarcoat his analysis on Get Up. “I think the NFL sent a message, saying you’re not that dude. Honestly,” Woody remarked bluntly. “The overwhelming message I saw when Shedeur slid to the fifth round, the NFL was basically saying you’re not that guy. You’re good but you’re not that guy.”
Woody’s words highlighted what many NFL scouts and executives may have been thinking but didn’t say outright. The draft is, after all, a meritocracy—or at least it tries to be. As Woody emphasized, “If you’re that guy, they’re gonna pick you in the first round because the NFL and all these teams are in the winning business.” It's a sentiment that has echoed through countless drafts—talent wins, and everything else is secondary.
But for Shedeur Sanders, the evaluation process was complicated. He opted not to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine, a decision that raised eyebrows. Instead, he showcased his skills at a private pro day, an unconventional route that many teams reportedly saw as a red flag. On top of that, multiple reports cited lackluster interviews as a key reason his stock plummeted. Questions around his leadership potential, maturity, and readiness to helm an NFL offense began to swirl—factors that matter deeply when investing in a franchise quarterback.
Woody added another layer to the analysis: Sanders’ growing celebrity profile, fueled by his father Deion Sanders' high-profile coaching career and media visibility. “The NFL clearly felt that Shedeur Sanders was a good prospect but he wasn’t what the young people call, he wasn’t him. And then on top of that, you factor in all the celebrity and everything that comes with Shedeur Sanders... that is the ultimate recipe for why you found yourself in the fifth round.”
Whether fair or not, the perception around Sanders was that of an uncertain investment—a talented player perhaps, but one who might bring more media noise than wins. NFL teams, especially those in need of immediate quarterback answers, weren’t eager to take on the added distractions.
Still, Sanders has taken the fall in stride. Speaking to the media for the first time since being drafted, he remained grounded. “Nothing really affected me the last couple of days,” he said. “I'm favored, I'm blessed. Besides that, it's not really anything that changed. The love of the game is still the love of the game.”
Far from bitterness, Sanders expressed a clear-eyed understanding of what comes next. “I know I gotta clean up some things in my game for me to be at my best, but that’s what I take each offseason one at a time and fix it.” He also made a point to emphasize his commitment to the Browns: “The main thing, I’m just proving — coach (Kevin) Stefanski and (general manager Andrew) Berry — that they are right. That’s it. They’re right about picking me. I’m a good decision.”
Ultimately, Sanders' slide serves as a reminder that the NFL is about more than hype or headlines. Talent matters, but so do interviews, preparation, leadership, and how a player is perceived within a locker room. For Sanders, the draft may have been humbling—but it’s also an opportunity.
The Browns now hold the keys to what could become one of the most talked-about redemption stories in recent draft history. Whether Sanders proves the doubters wrong will depend not on social media followers or televised showcases, but on grit, growth, and game-time execution.
Also Read: Shilo Sanders 'fired' dad Deion Sanders as agent amid outrage over brother Shedeur's NFL Draft fall
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