In a shocking turn of events, Shedeur Sanders, the talented quarterback from Colorado, found himself unexpectedly sidelined as the 2025 NFL Draft unfolded—completely missing the first round.

Throughout the pre-draft hype, Sanders was nothing short of a polarizing figure. Analysts were split: some hailed him as a potential first-round talent, while others deemed him more suited for a later pick. Yet, as draft night approached, many were left speculating his fate.

Despite two impressive years at Colorado, his draft preparation was unusually enigmatic. He skipped the East-West Shrine Bowl and didn’t participate in the NFL Scouting Combine, leaving fans and scouts with little to go on aside from a lone press conference in Indianapolis.

With several teams, including the Titans, Browns, Giants, and Steelers, actively seeking a quarterback, anticipation built around where Sanders might land. However, the Titans opted for Miami's Cam Ward as the first overall pick. The Giants secured edge rusher Abdul Carter and later chose Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart. Meanwhile, the Browns, Jets, Saints, and Steelers made different choices, leaving Sanders out in the cold after 32 picks.

Historically, quarterbacks are often selected early in the draft regardless of their flaws. Over the past decade, first-round picks have averaged around the 12th selection. However, Sanders' absence from the first round is perplexing—especially after the Steelers, considered a likely landing spot, overlooked him.

What caused Sanders's unexpected fall? Evaluations indicated that, while he was a solid player, he was not elite—ranking behind other prospects like Ward. Concerns about maturity and off-field issues may have also played a role in this decision-making process.

While his physical attributes were commendable—measuring 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 212 pounds—Sanders struggled to pass the perceived 'size test' for quarterbacks. Shorter quarterbacks often face tougher scrutiny, particularly about their arm strength.

Despite showing accuracy with an impressive adjusted completion percentage of 81.8%, Sanders' average depth of target fell short, raising doubts about his arm strength when compared to other elite quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud and Joe Burrow.

As experts dissected his performance, the evidence suggested a quieter future awaited Sanders—the second round now looming. Nevertheless, the anticipation he brings to the field could make any team lucky to land him.

This twist in Sanders’s journey adds another chapter to the dynamic narratives surrounding the NFL Draft, leaving fans wondering about the next steps for this once-anticipated prospect.