Why Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting: A Deep Dive into the 2025 NFL Draft Slide
- Corey Dowdell
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
By King | #anotherdaynparadisephotography #coreyddowdell #christinedowdell #2222022 #paradisetravel #christinesheart
The Unexpected Slide
Shedeur Sanders, the talented quarterback from Colorado and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, was widely projected as a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
His impressive college stats—over 3,000 passing yards and 27 touchdowns in his final season—positioned him as a top prospect.
Yet, as the draft unfolded, Sanders remained unselected through the first three rounds, a surprising development that left many analysts and fans puzzled.
Quarterbacks Drafted Ahead of Sanders
Five quarterbacks were chosen before Sanders:
Cam Ward – Miami (No. 1 overall): Strong arm and mobility.
Jaxson Dart – New York Giants (No. 25): Leadership and accuracy.
Tyler Shough – New Orleans Saints (No. 40): Experience across multiple college programs.
Jalen Milroe – Seattle Seahawks (No. 92): Raw athleticism and dual-threat capability.
Dillon Gabriel – Cleveland Browns (No. 94): Record-setting college production and high football IQ.
Factors Contributing to Sanders’ Draft Position
Several factors contributed to teams passing on Shedeur Sanders:
Perceived Overconfidence:
Some teams labeled Sanders as “entitled” during interviews, mistaking his confidence for arrogance.
Father’s Influence:
Deion Sanders’ larger-than-life presence created concern. Some front offices worried that drafting Shedeur meant also dealing with Deion’s voice — a strong, unapologetic advocate for his son.
On-Field Concerns:
Scouts critiqued Sanders’ tendency to hold the ball too long under pressure and questioned how well he’d adapt to NFL-level defenses.
Team Needs and Fit:
Some teams simply preferred quarterbacks who better fit their offensive schemes or team culture.
The Deeper, Unspoken Reason: America’s Fear of Strong Black Fatherhood
Let’s speak truth: having a positive Black father weighed into Shedeur’s slide — heavily.
When a Black father, especially one as visible as Deion Sanders, proudly, vocally, and unapologetically champions his son, it challenges a deep-rooted narrative that the system is used to.
Many institutions — including the NFL — are still more comfortable with the story of the absent Black father than the present, powerful one.
America expects Black athletes to be grateful, humble, and quiet — not to walk into a room with the full backing of legacy, love, and self-worth.
Shedeur didn’t just bring talent into those interviews; he brought generations of pride, power, and presence. Some front offices translated that as a “control problem” rather than a “leadership asset.”
In short:
The NFL isn’t just drafting players. They’re drafting narratives.
And Shedeur’s narrative — a loved, confident, well-coached Black son — scared them.
Looking Ahead
Shedeur Sanders’ slide doesn’t erase his talent — it only sets up a bigger story.
A team will eventually bet on him.
And when they do, they won’t just be getting a quarterback — they’ll be getting a movement.
Because Shedeur represents the future of what young Black athletes — and Black families — look like:
Confident. Prepared. Proud. Unapologetic.
Stay tuned. This story isn’t over — it’s just getting started.
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