This story was updated to add new information.
Former Jackson State football star quarterback Shedeur Sanders has fallen in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The April 24 first round is complete, and none of the 32 picks went to Sanders. Some mock drafts had Sanders as a potential top five pick.
Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, played two seasons at Jackson State for Deion in 2021 and 2022. He then transferred to Colorado when Deion was hired as the Buffaloes coach.
Here’s what we know.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Live NFL Draft news, live picks, grades, analysis and more.
Adam Schefter hinted that Shedeur Sanders could fall in NFL draft
There was smoke in the 48 hours leading up to the draft that Sanders could fall.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported a quote from an anonymous NFL coach that said Sanders was “The worst formal interview I’ve ever been in in my life,” and that “He’s so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates…but the biggest thing is, he is not that good.”
Then just hours before the draft began, ESPN insider Adam Schefter said in an “NFL Live” interview that he doesn’t expect Sanders to be selected before pick No. 9.
“Then the question becomes is there a team that is going to trade up into the teens, which it’s hard to see that right now,” Schefter said. “And so, we are on a collision course to where he could go down to No. 21 and the Pittsburgh Steelers…If no Shedeur at 21, we might get one quarterback tonight.”
Mel Kiper Jr. has Shedeur Sanders as best player available
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has listed Sanders as the top pick available since Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty went No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I’m amazed he’s still on the board right now,” Kiper said after pick No. 19
Kiper later said he didn’t understand why the New Orleans Saints passed on Sanders at pick No. 9. The Saints drafted Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr.
“I don’t know what the Saints were thinking there,” Kiper said. “That’s their decision. I don’t agree with it.”
Pittsburgh Steelers pass on Shedeur Sanders
A lot of draft analysts thought the Steelers would be Sanders’ destination, but they passed on him. Pittsburgh drafted Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon instead.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said the Steelers were “going back and forth” between picking Sanders as of April 23.
ESPN’s draft metric said Sanders had a 96% chance of getting picked in the top 21.
MORE: Will Mississippi State have a player picked in 2025 NFL Draft? What mocks, rankings, experts say
New York Giants pass on Shedeur Sanders again
The Giants traded up with the Houston Texans for pick No. 25 and selected Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Dart is the second quarterback taken so far, after Cam Ward went to the Tennessee Titans at pick No. 1.
Potential teams for Shedeur Sanders in Day 2 of NFL draft
These are potential fits for Sanders in Day 2 of the NFL draft.
Shedeur Sanders stats with Jackson State, Colorado
- 2021 (Jackson State): 3,231 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, 65.9 completion percentage, 103 rushes, -17 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns
- 2022 (Jackson State): 3,732 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, 70.6 completion percentage, 85 rushes, 173 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns
- 2023 (Colorado): 3,230 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 69.3 completion percentage, 111 rushes, -77 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns
- 2024 (Colorado): 4,134 passing yards, 37 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 74.0 completion percentage, 100 rushes, -50 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
