The NFL Draft is supposed to feel like the bottom of the ninth in a tied World Series—every pick crackles with tension, and every decision could swing a franchise’s future. But this year, the drama isn’t about who went first. It’s about who didn’t go at all. Imagine Tom Brady’s infamous sixth-round slide, but with a modern twist: neon lights, viral TikToks, and a last name that echoes through football history. And you have Shedeur Sanders.

The Colorado quarterback whose draft stock plummeted faster than a rookie QB facing Aaron Donald. Across two days, 102 names were called. His wasn’t. Analysts scratched their heads. Fans roasted GMs on social media. Even politicians weighed in. But no one’s reaction cut deeper than Jerry Jones’, the Cowboys’ maverick owner, whose loyalty to the Sanders family dates back to the ’90s dynasty.

When the third round closed Friday without Sanders’ name being announced, Jones didn’t hold back. “We thought and evaluated him extremely high in this draft,” he told reporters, doubling down on his admiration for the Sanders bloodline. “I know of what winner he’s got in his bloodline. I do know that.” So, per Jones, teams sleeping on Shedeur are ignoring a legacy that includes his Hall-of-Fame father, Deion Sanders, who helped Jones hoist a Lombardi Trophy in 1995. But he didn’t stop there.

“Consequently, with my first hand knowledge of my relationships over the years with Deion, and I know that I’ve watched two or three ball games with his son. And so with my knowledge, I know where the character is there. Boy, it is great character. It is an unbelievable, competitive, winning character for sports,” Jerry added. But here’s the rub: Dallas isn’t drafting him. That’s the Jones special curveball one wouldn’t expect after so much gushing. Besides, he has a point…

With Dak Prescott locked into a $240 million deal, the Cowboys grabbed 2024 draft QB Joe Milton from the Patriots as backup instead. Jones’ praise feels more like a character reference than a draft strategy. “If calls come my way,” he added, “they’ll get firsthand knowledge of my life with him [Deion] over the last 20 years. I’m a big person about the character of the Sanders family.” It’s Jerry being Jerry—equal parts loyal and cryptic, like a Texas-sized riddle wrapped in a Stetson. Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders wasn’t just supposed to go early.

He was pegged as a top-five pick. His résumé? Elite from the looks of it. 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and a completion rate (74%) that led college football. But detractors see Travis Hunter‘s (drafted 2nd overall by Jacksonville) influence in this. Meanwhile, by Friday night, five quarterbacks heard their names called before his. Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel—all drafted ahead of a player who rewrote Colorado’s record books. Besides, of course, Cam Ward, the first overall pick of the draft. What went wrong?

Whispers about “entitled” interviews and “horrible body language” swirled. An anonymous AFC coach blasted Sanders as “the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in in my life. He’s so entitled… But the biggest thing is he’s not that good.” Another exec griped, “He makes you feel small.” Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes tweeted a single word: “Crazy.” Even President Donald Trump demanded teams “IMMEDIATELY” pick him.

Shedeur Sanders: Pride, pressure, and the price of fame

Deion Sanders’ shadow looms large. Shedeur isn’t just a QB—he’s a storyline. Teams fear drafting a backup who’ll attract TMZ headlines and invite Daddy’s critiques. For GMs on hot seats, that’s a grenade with the pin pulled. Stats don’t lie, but neither do game films. Scouts knocked Sanders for holding the ball too long and shaky pocket presence. His pro-day throws?

They wobbled on short routes. However, his arm talent and poise under pressure (see: 27 career INTs vs. 134 TDs) scream NFL-caliber. Besides, history loves an underdog. Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott turned late-round snubs into fuel for greatness. “He’s going to come in, he’ll have a chip,” said draft analyst and a firm believer in Sanders, Mel Kiper. Sanders’ Friday-night tweet—“Thank you GOD for EVERYTHING”—hints at quiet resolve. But will teams bite on Day 3?

The Steelers (pick No. 123) and Jets (No. 111) loom as wild cards. Jones’ flirtation with Shedeur feels nostalgic, like craving a ’90s Corvette in an EV era. Dallas had seven late-round picks but passed, opting for O-line depth over fireworks. Still, Jones’ endorsement lingers. For Shedeur, character might be the key to rewriting this draft’s ending. Besides, Shedeur Sanders’ free fall isn’t just about football.

It’s about fear. Fear of legacy, fear of spotlight, fear of betting big on a name heavier than the jersey. As Oscar Wilde once said, “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” Come Saturday, some team will gamble on turning this mistake into a masterpiece.