Well, have you ever seen someone set fire to their own golden ticket? Beyond a mere talent showcase, the NFL Draft stands as a crucible of legacy and present-day performance, where a player’s name emblazoned on a jersey represents far more than a simple compilation of game stats. But what happens when progress stalls under the oppressive weight of a perceived #1 spot? What occurs when the spotlight, once a beacon of promise, begins to cast long, ominous shadows? Enter Shedeur Sanders!

On one side, his NFL draft stock is demonstrably plummeting, despite a season that, on paper, appeared spectacular. On the other, his own decisions, compounded by the actions of those closest to him, are exacting a significant toll. Will Shedeur’s path to the hallowed halls of the NFL be as effortlessly smooth as it once seemed? Whispers, growing louder with each passing day, suggest otherwise.

With the 2025 NFL Combine wrapping up, the tables have turned in terms of players’ draft stocks. In particular, Cam Ward is solidifying his position as the top quarterback prospect in a weak draft class. Conversely, Shedeur Sanders, once considered a formidable competitor to Ward, is experiencing a precipitous decline in his draft prospects. The narrative has undergone a seismic shift, transforming him from a potential cornerstone player to a question mark shrouded in uncertainty.

Mel Kiper’s ESPN mock draft had this supposed No. 1 (or maybe No. 2) pick sliding all the way down to No. 7. Meanwhile, CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli placed him at No. 22 in his mock draft. And now, there’s yet another disappointing update along similar lines.

NFL insider Tony Pauline reports that while Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders didn’t participate in on-field workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine, his draft stock still took a hit. According to Pauline, “teams are cooling on Shedeur Sanders for a number of reasons.” Some believe he “showed little to no improvement in his game last season and made some poor choices,” while others are “a little turned off by his antics since January.”

Skipping the throwing session at the combine isn’t unusual for a top-rated QB, but it followed another decision that raised eyebrows—opting out of the Shrine Bowl, where he was at least expected to participate in individual passing drills. That said, this wasn’t entirely his call. Top teams like the Titans, Browns, and Giants reportedly asked him to sit out, preferring to evaluate him through meetings instead.

Pauline also notes that Sanders is now less likely to be picked by the New York Giants at No. 3. In fact, “the very earliest he’ll come off the board” might be No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, the Titans could go after Cam Ward as their “generational talent,” and with the Giants seemingly out of the picture, Sanders’ draft slide might start early.

But here’s the thing—statistically, he actually improved in 2024. He threw for more yards (4,134 vs. 3,230), scored more touchdowns (37 vs. 27), improved his accuracy (74% vs. 69.3%), and took fewer sacks (42 vs. 52). The one glaring issue? Tendency to give the pigskin away. After throwing just three interceptions in 2023, that number jumped to 10 last season. Same old story—there are inconsistencies. Adding to the mounting pressure is Deion Sanders‘ recent move, which has further complicated matters.

Deion Sanders’ fatherly gesture turned ugly for Shedeur Sanders

Deion Sanders dedicated his life to preparing Shedeur for the NFL. But Prime unexpectedly changed plans during the live broadcast. Instead of celebrating his son, a text message sent during the broadcast to Rich Eisen had the entire studio in stitches. The message? Shedeur wasn’t his top guy—Jimmy Horn Jr. was.

While the NFL Draft discussions are in full swing, Coach Prime is making waves by updating his own depth chart. Shedeur recently faced some public embarrassment, courtesy of his father. Horn Jr. was caught on camera standing next to Shedeur, appearing rather pleased in the video shared on X. Eisen perfectly set the stage by introducing “The current list of Deion’s favorite children… and Shedeur said that everybody is his child on the program. Well, Deion texted me. Jimmy #1. I mean, literally my phone buzzed as soon as they got off the air. Jimmy number one, it’s official.” The set exploded with laughter, but Shedeur’s reaction stole the show. He just shook his head, grinned through the pain, and tried to play it cool.

It all kicked off amidst Horn Jr. recording a 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds. Not too shabby, right? But Coach Prime, as we know, is more than just a coach to these guys. Especially to Jimmy Horn Jr. With Jimmy Horn Sr., Horn Jr.’s father, having been incarcerated since 2021, Coach Prime has stepped up in a huge way. Horn Jr. himself describes their relationship as a deep, personal bond: “Coach Prime is like a father and son relationship. I met Coach Prime in high school. That was my big decision to go to Colorado. He was recruiting me in high school. Coach Prime has been a man of his word and I love the man to death.” You can’t deny the genuine connection there. It’s more than just football; it’s a family, a support system.

So, you’ve got this great vibe, this real sense of camaraderie in the Buffs’ camp. But then, you’ve got Shedeur Sanders, who’s somehow got amidst this and not necessarily in a good spotlight. We’re talking about a guy who skipped the Combine, who hasn’t been doing the usual pre-draft showcases. The only thing that can really swing the narrative back in his favor, that can remind everyone of his talent, is his Pro Day. That’s his chance to silence the doubters and to show the scouts what he’s capable of. Will he rise to the occasion?