Who’s to blame for Shedeur Sanders’ plummet to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft?

In a surprising turn of events during the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, once a highly regarded quarterback prospect, found himself selected in the fifth round, a significant drop from expectations of a top pick. Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, in a candid commentary on the 'Fully Loaded' podcast, highlighted factors he believes contributed to Sanders’ fall, emphasizing that the young quarterback ultimately has himself to blame. Carter critiqued Sanders' pre-draft preparation, stating that he was overly concerned about his appearance, famously wearing a $100,000 necklace. This raises questions about his priorities during a critical job interview process. According to Carter, Sanders “threw away at least $30 to $50 million” by not convincing teams he could be the franchise's face; instead, they opted for other quarterbacks with perhaps lesser talent. Adding another layer of complexity, Carter suggested that Sanders' father, Deion Sanders, who is also the head coach at Colorado, may have had a detrimental influence on Shedeur’s draft position. Deion's public statements, alluding to the possibility that his son might refuse to play for certain teams, likely did not sit well with many NFL executives. The perception of entitlement seemed to echo throughout the scouting community, as several teams reportedly left interviews feeling uneasy about Sanders’ attitude. In contrast, fellow NFL veteran Michael Strahan shared a more positive outlook on Sanders’ future. Citing a conversation with Tom Brady, Strahan suggested that the timing of one's draft pick does not dictate success in the NFL. As a sixth-round selection who went on to become one of the greatest quarterbacks in history, Brady serves as an example that opportunity can arise regardless of when a player is drafted. Strahan criticized the unnamed sources who labeled Sanders as 'entitled,' indicating that such disparagement should be attributed to identifiable individuals rather than remaining anonymous. He also expressed confidence in Sanders' abilities, arguing that his production warranted a higher selection. Another noteworthy incident during the draft was a prank call received by Sanders from someone impersonating a general manager, which he described as 'childish'. The perpetrator later issued a public apology, acknowledging the inappropriateness of the act during such a significant moment in Sanders' career. As the draft unfolded, the Cleveland Browns selected two quarterbacks, including Sanders, which raises questions about the franchise's current quarterback landscape and their future strategies. The Browns believe that Sanders possesses the potential to outperform expectations despite being drafted in the fifth round. Ultimately, Sanders’ journey illustrates the volatile nature of NFL drafts, where a combination of personal choices, family dynamics, and public perception can sharply influence a player's career trajectory. With rookie minicamp approaching, all eyes will be on Sanders to see how he adapts to the professional level and if he can prove the critics wrong in the coming seasons.