Shedeur Sanders’ Shocking Draft Fall: Was It An Attack on "Prime" and Family?

The 2025 NFL Draft produced its fair share of surprises, but none were more shocking than the dramatic slide of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Entering the draft process, Sanders was widely considered a potential first-round pick and even touted by some as a top-two quarterback prospect in his class. His impressive accuracy, demonstrated by a completion percentage hovering around 70% even behind a struggling offensive line, fueled the hype surrounding his potential. Yet, as the rounds progressed, Sanders’ name remained uncalled, leading to a collective gasp as he tumbled down the draft board.

Ultimately, it was the Cleveland Browns who ended Sanders’ agonizing wait, selecting him with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round. This unexpected fall meant that five other quarterbacks were selected ahead of him: Cam Ward (No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans), Jaxson Dart (No. 25 to the New York Giants), Tyler Shough (No. 40 to the New Orleans Saints), Jalen Milroe (No. 92 to the Seattle Seahawks), and even Dillon Gabriel (No. 94 to the Browns, making them Sanders’ teammate). The sheer improbability of Sanders being the sixth quarterback off the board sent shockwaves through the NFL community.

The reaction was swift and sharp, with many questioning the logic behind the decision-making of teams that passed on Sanders. Among the most vocal critics was New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, who expressed his disbelief and frustration during an appearance on the "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast with NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, a 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

Nabers didn’t mince words, stating, "You don’t do that to a person. You don’t do that to somebody like that. You can’t knock his talent." He acknowledged criticisms about Sanders taking unnecessary sacks, but quickly countered that the quarterback was playing behind a subpar offensive line. Despite this disadvantage, Sanders still managed to maintain an impressive completion rate. Nabers emphasized, "He was the talk of the top two quarterbacks in his class. There’s no way in hell he [goes] in the fifth round."

Adding fuel to the fire, NFL analyst Cris Carter weighed in on the situation, suggesting that the unexpected slide wasn’t simply due to individual team evaluations but possibly a coordinated effort to diminish Sanders’ value. Carter posited that there could have been a "collusion message" circulated among teams, effectively suppressing Sanders’ draft stock.

Nabers further highlighted the unique scrutiny that Sanders and his family have faced due to the high-profile nature of Deion Sanders, the Hall of Fame cornerback and Shedeur’s father. The Sanders family has been in the public eye for years, even having their own reality TV show since Shedeur and his siblings were young. Nabers argued that the intense spotlight, while initially beneficial, may have ultimately contributed to the negative perception that led to Shedeur’s draft fall. He stated, "They’re doing everything right. They’ve had a TV show since they were kids. So now everything is just starting to backfire on them for doing everything right. I have never heard about [Shedeur Sanders] being in trouble. Nothing. There’s nothing wrong. They’re playing football. You’re a good kid."

The Browns’ General Manager, Andrew Berry, acknowledged the doubts surrounding Sanders in the draft call, urging the young quarterback to prove everyone wrong. This sentiment underscores the widespread belief that Sanders possesses the talent to outperform his draft position.

Carmelo Anthony echoed Nabers’ sentiments, suggesting that off-field factors played a significant role in Sanders’ draft outcome. He characterized the situation as "the dark side of sports," highlighting the potential for bias and prejudice to influence decisions. Anthony explicitly framed the perceived mistreatment of Sanders as an "attack on ‘Prime,’" referring to Deion Sanders’ iconic nickname. He elaborated, "It’s an attack on a Black family and a Black man who raised his young men to be men." This statement ignited a broader conversation about race and representation within the NFL and the potential for systemic biases to negatively impact Black athletes.

The controversy surrounding Sanders’ draft position was further exacerbated by a prank call incident, where the Atlanta Falcons and their Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich were fined by the NFL for allegedly leaking Sanders’ phone number. This incident added another layer of intrigue and suspicion to the already contentious situation.

Nabers revealed that he and Sanders have a history dating back to their high school days when Sanders reached out to him to discuss the possibility of playing together in Texas. Nabers has closely followed Sanders’ career since then, and the two were even seen playing catch in New York last December during the Heisman Trophy award presentation, further emphasizing their bond.

Nabers passionately defended Sanders’ accomplishments at Jackson State University, where he brought unprecedented attention and excitement to the historically Black college. He then transitioned to Colorado, where he again revitalized a struggling program, attracting national interest and viewership. Nabers questioned the fairness of rewarding Sanders’ accomplishments with such a significant drop in the draft. "He did what he did at Jackson State, brought a lot of people to Jackson State that never knew about Jackson State. Then went to Colorado where nobody was even looking at Colorado like that. They have all these people look at him play and do what he did and then do him like that? Like, come on bro."

The unexpected fall of Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft sparked widespread debate about the factors that influence team decision-making, the potential for bias to impact Black athletes, and the impact of family legacy and public scrutiny on a player’s career trajectory. While Sanders now finds himself in Cleveland with the Browns, he carries with him the weight of immense expectations and the burning desire to prove his doubters wrong. Only time will tell if he can overcome the adversity and live up to the potential that once made him a projected first-round pick. His journey in the NFL will undoubtedly be closely watched and scrutinized, not just for his performance on the field, but also as a symbol of the challenges faced by many Black athletes striving for success in a predominantly white league.