The ‘mistake’ that began Shedeur Sanders’ stunning NFL draft fall

ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller has pointed to Shedeur Sanders’ unexpected drop to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft as a result of missteps in his pre-draft process. Despite Sanders’ impressive performance at Colorado, where he threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in his final college season, Miller emphasized that off-field concerns played a significant role in his draft stock plummeting.

During an interview on the Awful Announcing Podcast, Miller stated, “The NFL will humble anyone,” underscoring teams’ apprehension towards Sanders due to his approach leading up to the draft, which included opting out of drills at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“I didn’t think they handled the process well,” Miller remarked regarding Sanders and his team. “And that’s not just hindsight. I faced a lot of backlash for stating on ‘NFL Live’ right before the NFL Scouting Combine that he was making a mistake by not participating. He should have showcased his skills at the NFL Scouting Combine.”

Sanders, who finished eighth in Heisman voting in 2024, fell to the 144th overall pick, where the Cleveland Browns selected him despite already drafting Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel two rounds earlier.

“I received numerous messages in response to my comments,” Miller recalled. “So, was Sanders overrated as a player? Yes, given his talents and abilities, he wasn’t a top two or three player in this draft class. However, when you factor in the process, the NFL will humble anyone. It’s all about how the NFL evaluates you that truly matters.”

Miller continued to highlight the missteps in Sanders’ pre-draft process, noting, “For the Sanders camp, they had this perception of Shedeur as a guaranteed top draft pick. They approached the process with that mindset. No one from the outside could get through to him and make him realize that he wasn’t guaranteed a top spot in the draft. This approach ultimately worked against him.”

Anonymous NFL sources also criticized Sanders, labeling him as entitled and challenging to work with during interviews. Reports surfaced of Sanders getting upset during his visit with the Giants after being called out for a mistake.

Sanders now joins a crowded QB room with the Browns, including Gabriel, Pickett, Flacco, and Watson, who is expected to miss the 2025 season due to re-tearing his Achilles during rehab.

The unexpected slide of Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of a well-managed pre-draft process and the impact it can have on a player’s draft stock and future in the league.