Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Travis Hunter, Tyler Booker, Tyler Sough, and who not. The NFL 2025 first round did not disappoint. But despite a blockbuster day 1, something did not feel right. Shedeur Sanders, who was projected to go big in the first round, went undrafted. Although it does not seem to affect Coach Prime’s son, the 23-year-old was confident to make it in the first round itself. “Under no circumstances did we all know this was going to happen, but we understand we on to bigger and better things,” Sanders said after how the night turned out for him.

Now, while Shedeur was still confident to get himself drafted in the 2nd round, the former Colorado QB’s wait now extends into the 3rd round. And with the draft still unfolding, the latest developments hint at an even tougher road ahead for Sanders. “Tomorrow’s the day,” Sanders said after facing rejection on day 1 of the ongoing draft. Now, every draft has its mystery player. And this time, Sanders is banking on himself.

Although Ward and Dart are headed right where many predicted them in the first round, this is the first time since 2016 when teams held back on picking quarterbacks in Round 1. Now, even in the remaining class, Sanders has to be wary of Jalen Milroe, Quinn Ewers, Will Howard, and a few others. But unlike the others, the unpredictability of Sanders’ fate is through the roof.

All the teams predicted to pick Sanders in the first round bailed on him. The Steelers have proceeded with Derrick Harmon. The Giants went with Dart. When the team traded places and got the 25th pick, many thought it’d be Shedeur Sanders. Instead, Dart became the second QB off the board in the first round. But now that Round 1 has taken some names off the list, there could be some space for Sanders. The NFL shared on its Instagram page a list of potential offensive players for Rounds 2 and 3. Sanders is predicted to go as pick No. 67 to the Browns as part of an “offensive trio.” 

The Athletic also picked the Browns drafting Sanders in Round 2, but at the 33rd pick. “If Cleveland can use the extra picks it acquired Thursday to fortify its rebuild and give Sanders time to grow, this could be a great fit,” the publication wrote. The Browns are already struggling with Deshaun Watson. If Sanders is headed this way, will he be the answer to a team plagued with ill-fated QBs? Cleveland has featured a total of seven quarterbacks in the two seasons, and they’re desperate to choose one in the draft.

Not one team in conversations linked to Sanders implied the possibility of drafting him. His brother, Deion Sanders Jr., wrote on X the day prior to the draft, “The REJECTED WILL BE RESPECTED.” Unfortunately, with the way all these revelations are turning up, it doesn’t seem like that’s the case. At least not with the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints are also a no-go on Shedeur Sanders

The Saints hold the No. 9 pick in Round 2. And according to new intel, it doesn’t seem like Sanders is going there either. In fact, Kellen Moore is not very keen on picking a QB in the first place. Insider Lindsey Thiry told ESPN, “The Saints’ mindset going into this quarterback search is that they might not have a franchise quarterback available to pick. But they know that Kellen Moore can sometimes do more with less. They’re not going to force the issue.”

She also knew that the question of the hour was whether the team was keen on getting Sanders. Thiry firmly said, “No, I do not expect for the Saints, based on conversations I’m having right now, to select Shedeur Sanders.” The draft process is becoming increasingly difficult for him. The situation is so grim that even the Saints, whose starting QB is down (Derek Carr), are not going to draft the Colorado QB. The doors seem to be closing one by one upon the Sanders legacy-bearer.

With experts’ fears of Sanders slipping out of Round 1 coming true, the Colorado QB’s hopes are seeming to dampen a bit. Just yesterday, a blistering review of his character came from an NFL scout. Word around is that his attitude can be a reason why his prospects are slipping despite his putting in a great season in 2024. Is that haughty attitude going to be the final nail in his NFL career? Round 2 is still teeming with lots of QB prospects. Can Sanders pull off the unthinkable and outshine them all to be drafted in his second chance?