One of the biggest headlines emerging from last night’s NFL Draft first round was Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders slid out of the first round after being initially projected as a potential #1 overall pick. Through the draft process his stock got significantly devalued, but his being passed over by all 32 picks was still a major surprise. How and why that happened is another story for another time, and it seems that every draftnik has a theory.
For now, we’ll look at four other QBs who endured a Shedeur Sanders level slide on their respective draft nights, and how their NFL stories eventually ended.
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Aaron Rodgers, California, 2005
Where he was initially projected: He believed, as did many NFL draft observers, that he could go first overall to his hometown team, the San Francisco 49ers. However, the Niners took Alex Smith instead.
Where he ended up: Green Bay, 24th overall
How he did in the league: Still going strong, and Rodgers is regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks of all time. He holds the record for the lowest career interception percentage and single-season passer rating. Also, given some of the things that Rodgers has said publicly in recent years, on several different social issues, you have to credit him for holding his tongue during his draft interview process.
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Given the scrutiny that surrounds what prospects say to NFL teams, some of his “takes” could have derailed his professional career.
Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, 2007
Where he was initially projected: labeled a franchise-level QB, he was considered a lock for the top five, top ten overall.
Where he ended up: a lot of mock drafts projected him to Cleveland at #3, but he slid so far that the Browns were able to nab him at #22.
How he did in the league: a mediocre journeyman who played for five different teams, and also two more in a practice squad/offseason capacity. Threw only 12 TD passes and just over 3,000 yards for his entire career. But he later found his calling as a broadcaster and has since enjoyed a wonderful career as a prominent and astute television/radio analyst.
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Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 2014
Where he was initially projected: At the time, he was the most hyped up college football player of all time. That is not hyperbole- “Johnny Football,” the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, was inescapable. His draft grade was quite polarizing- many thought he could be the first overall pick, while others were not surprised at all by his dropping down.
Where he ended up: Like Quinn, he went to the Browns at 22nd overall, seven years later.
How he did in the league: Didn’t last long at all, tossing just seven TDs and also only seven INTs. He then played two years in Canada, another in the AAF and one more in the Indoor league. Was done playing ball by 2022.
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Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame, 2010
Where he was initially projected: Like Quinn, another Domer who had once been in #1 overall discussion
Where he ended up: second round, 48th overall to Carolina.
How he did in the league: Last night’s Shedeur Sanders slide inspired many a social media user to revisit this infamous quote:
“If Jimmy Clausen is not a successful quarterback in the NFL, I’m done. That’s it. I’m out.” -Mel Kiper, 2010
Well, Kiper is still here, doing this same gig, and he’s as high on Sanders as any draft analyst out there. So we’ll see if he missed on Sanders as badly as he missed on Clausen, who had a career passer rating of just 61.9, tossing twice as many INTs as he did TDs.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders slid out of the first round
