The 2025 NFL Draft, hosted by the Green Bay Packers in the smallest market in professional sports, saw many notable storylines pop up as collegiate players realized their life-long dreams of being selected by an NFL team. Indeed, there were many heartwarming, and some gut-wrenching, stories of players that overcame amazing odds to finally make it to the NFL.
However, one story dominated dialogues for most of the draft’s three days: the unexpected slide of Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders. At one time considered to be a top-five pick in the NFL Draft, Sanders was not even one of the first five quarterbacks taken.
Instead of being a first round pick, as many expected, Sanders finally saw his name called on Day Three, in the fifth round, by the Cleveland Browns.
NFL Analysts Were Beside Themselves as Shedeur Sanders Slid Down the Draft Board
Even during the first round, NFL analysts bemoaned the fact that Sanders was not drafted early. Some even proclaimed that the Colorado star should have been the first overall pick by the Tennessee Titans instead of Cam Ward.
Skip Bayless, known for his hot takes, went so far as to blame the NFL for being racist, saying there are “too many white people in charge.” Ward, who was the first overall pick, is African American.
Even President Donald Trump got in on the trend of blasting NFL teams for passing on Sanders, posting: “What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID? Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart! Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be ‘picked’ IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!”
One former NFL quarterback, though, does not think it is that deep.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Kurt Benkert Does Not Think the Shedeur Sanders Slide in the 2025 NFL Draft Is a Big Deal
In a response to a different Bayless post on Shedeur Sanders, former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert wrote, “This is a reach. Shedeur doesn’t help them win right now. They need as many draft picks to make an impact day 1 as possible. Shedeur isn’t a high ceiling guy so it’s not worth using a high pick on him or reaching for. Forget off the field stuff, he’s not God’s gift to Ball.”
This is a reach. Shedeur doesn’t help them win right now. They need as many draft picks to make an impact day 1 as possible.
Shedeur isn’t a high ceiling guy so it’s not worth using a high pick on him or reaching for. Forget off the field stuff, he’s not God’s gift to Ball. https://t.co/54RJ1dPY00
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) April 26, 2025
It remains to be seen who will start at quarterback for the Browns in 2025. They have Joe Flacco and also drafted Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. To be sure, Sanders has a chance to win the starting job and prove all the doubters wrong.
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