One of the biggest surprises of the 2025 NFL Draft’s first round wasn’t about who got picked—it was about who didn’t. Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback from Colorado and the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was left waiting all night without hearing his name called. For a guy who had so much hype surrounding him heading into the draft, his fall out of the first round felt completely unexpected and honestly kind of confusing.
For starters, Shedeur had a strong college resume. He threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns last season and did it behind one of the worst offensive lines in college football. Even with constant pressure and a pretty brutal hit count, he stayed poised and kept making plays. He’s known for having a strong arm, great decision-making, and a calmness under pressure that not every college QB has. On paper, those are exactly the qualities teams are looking for in a young franchise quarterback.
This year’s draft also wasn’t exactly overflowing with elite quarterback talent. Outside of Cam Ward, who went first overall, and maybe one or two others, Shedeur was seen by most analysts as one of the best in the class. Some mock drafts had him going in the top 15 just days before the draft. So for him to slip out of the first round entirely? That caught a lot of people off guard.
What makes it even more surprising is how much media attention Shedeur brought with him. Being Deion Sanders’ son definitely kept him in the spotlight, but he also handled the pressure well. From interviews to NIL deals and national coverage, he became a recognizable name far beyond college football fans. He had the poise, the production, and the brand—three things that usually get quarterbacks drafted high.
After the first round wrapped up, Deion Sanders posted a response on social media that gave the situation even more attention. He wrote, “You can’t stop a grown man with purpose. God doesn’t lie, and neither do the results. Keep watching.” It was a short but powerful message, and one that clearly showed he and Shedeur weren’t discouraged—they were just getting started. The quote also added fuel to the narrative that Shedeur’s fall could end up motivating him to play at an even higher level once he gets his shot.
Some teams may have been hesitant because of his close ties to Deion or rumors that he wanted to land in a specific situation. But even with those concerns, it’s hard to believe that not one team thought he was worth a first-round investment—especially teams like the Steelers, Raiders, or Vikings that have big questions at quarterback.
In the end, Shedeur Sanders not getting drafted in the first round shows just how unpredictable the NFL Draft really is. It’s not always about talent or stats—sometimes it’s about timing, fit, or team strategy. But that doesn’t mean Shedeur won’t succeed. In fact, it might be the thing that pushes him even harder.
Now, as the draft heads into Day 2, all eyes are on where Shedeur will finally land. One thing’s for sure—he won’t forget how this night felt. And judging by the way he plays, the league might not either.
What do you think—should Shedeur have gone in the first round? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!