With three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, Shedeur Sanders is still sitting at home wondering when he’s going to get an opportunity.
While the first round of the NFL draft seemed unlikely, the fact that the Colorado QB has now fallen out of day two has left the NFL world stunned.
Former NFL Quarterbacks React to Shedeur Sanders’ Slide
While there have now been over 100 picks in the 2025 NFL draft, the topic of every panel on every TV show and every podcast is the landing spot for the Colorado quarterback.
Former quarterbacks reacted to the eventual conclusion that every NFL team passed on Sanders in both the second and third rounds.
Robert Griffin III said via his X (formerly Twitter) handle:
“Shedeur Sanders should not have fallen out of the first three rounds of the NFL draft. There’s a lot of people out there saying that he needed to be humbled. Shedeur Sanders didn’t need to be humbled. His confidence should not shake you or make you uncomfortable.”
Shedeur Sanders didn’t need to be humbled. His confidence shouldn’t offend your insecurities. His play showed that he should not have fallen out of the first 3 rounds of the NFL Draft.@OuttaPocketRG3 #NFLDraft2025 #NFL #RG3 #outtapocket #ShedeurSanders #GG3 pic.twitter.com/kLn9JzmQDt
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 26, 2025
RGIII went on to say NFL teams were not put off by the confidence of Baker Mayfield or Joe Burrow. Both quarterbacks came out of college with a strong resume and a lot of confidence. Baker had several stories taunting opposition players, and Burrow was challenging players on the sideline as he dominated in the SEC.
NFL teams seem to be hesitating on Sanders, and analysts are struggling to identify why. Five quarterbacks have now been drafted before him, including Alabama’s Jalen Milroe landing with the Seattle Seahawks, and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel heading to the Cleveland Browns in the third round.
Dan Orlovsky believes that Sanders’ film proves he should be a day two pick at the very minimum. He made a case for the QB prior to the second round of the draft kicking off:
“I still believe that the player on tape is a second-round player… The ability to see, and play in rhythm and timing, and fitting the ball into windows.”
I personally just don’t see this player as a 4th round or later type of pick.
Felt round 2 was likely. 3rd round at worst.
THE TAPE. The tape doesn’t say 4th round or later pick. pic.twitter.com/35YSpFCsmg
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) April 26, 2025
It never transpired that way for Sanders, who will now have to wait until the third day of the draft in the hope he’ll land an opportunity.
What Is the Next-Best Thing for Sanders at This Point
Steve Smith Sr. made a great point in the NFL Draft’s post-game show on NFL Network. The fact that Sanders is now going to land somewhere on day three means he is available to more teams. He’s not being drafted as a starter, so teams who already have a starter may put some genuine thought into taking him in the late rounds.
The financial cost to a franchise is minimal, and if they can avoid the media circus by shutting it down quickly, Sanders can just focus on learning the NFL way.
Whichever team decides to draft Sanders at this point needs to make it abundantly clear that he’s not going to be the starting quarterback anytime soon. That way, they avoid the weekly questioning and keep the pressure off of the young quarterback while he gets settled in the offensive system he’s learning.
Sanders needs stability. He needs a coach with a great reputation who can nurture him correctly. The LA Rams have yet to draft a quarterback and may be biding their time. The same is true for the Pittsburgh Steelers.