NFL’s Draft Phone Fiasco: Prank Calls, Leaked Numbers, and a League-Sized Headache

The NFL, in its relentless pursuit of polished perfection, has stumbled upon a significant, and somewhat embarrassing, problem. In an effort to orchestrate seamless draft telecasts and ensure direct communication with coveted prospects, the league began providing select players with single-purpose phones. The intent was noble: prevent awkward on-air interruptions, avoid missed calls due to dead zones, and maintain a clear line to these potential stars. However, this well-intentioned initiative has backfired spectacularly, transforming into a chaotic mess of leaked phone numbers, viral prank calls, and a league struggling to contain the fallout.

The most publicly visible incident involved Shedeur Sanders, the highly-regarded quarterback prospect. His NFL-issued phone number was leaked, leading to a barrage of unwanted attention. The trail led back to Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who received the number via email from the NFL. Somehow, this information landed in the hands of Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son, Jax, who then orchestrated a prank call that quickly spread across social media.

While the Sanders incident was high-profile and relatively easy to trace, it only scratches the surface of a much larger problem. Sanders himself confirmed in a video that the phone he received was not his personal device, stating, "I just got this phone yesterday." The NFL provided these phones to ensure teams could reach prospects instantly, without the potential for communication breakdowns caused by personal phone distractions or connectivity issues.

The primary motivation behind this program, according to a former league official, was to avoid those agonizing moments during draft broadcasts where a team attempts to contact a player, only to be met with silence or a busy signal. The NFL wanted to guarantee that the iconic image of a prospect answering the life-changing call from their new team would play out flawlessly on television.

However, the execution of this plan has been deeply flawed. The NFL, in its effort to ensure widespread access, distributed these single-purpose phone numbers to an estimated 2,000 NFL and club employees via email. This decision, confirmed by multiple sources, has created a massive security vulnerability.

Instead of a select group of essential personnel, the list of recipients reportedly included not only general managers, coaches, and their immediate staff, but also secondary staffers, some media members, public relations personnel, non-football executives, and even equipment managers and training staff. This broad distribution significantly increased the likelihood of leaks.

The consequences have been far-reaching. Beyond the Sanders incident, a double-digit number of prospects have reported receiving prank calls on their league-issued phones. While some of these incidents have remained private, several players have publicly acknowledged the issue.

In the 2025 NFL draft alone, the list of players who received prank calls prior to being selected includes, in addition to Sanders, Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter, Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham, Colts tight end Tyler Warren, Commanders offensive lineman Josh Conerly, Bills offensive lineman Chase Lundt, and Eagles quarterback Kyle McCord.

McCord’s experience highlights the extent of the problem. He received so many prank calls leading up to the draft that he initially dismissed the legitimate call from the Eagles as another hoax. "I got a few prank calls earlier in the day from 609 numbers and 215 numbers, so I’m like, alright, when I got that 215 phone call, I was thinking it was another prank call," McCord told reporters. "But picking up the phone and having [general manager] Howie [Roseman] on the other side, it was pretty cool." He admitted, "I didn’t really think it was going to be legit, to be honest, because I got a bunch of 215 calls obviously leading up to the draft. So, I’m thinking, you know, I don’t know who it was going to be. And then I picked up the phone. I said, ‘Hello,’ and then to hear Howie’s voice on the other side, alright, not what I expected, but I was super pumped that it happened."

Prank phone calls are, of course, not a new phenomenon. They have been around as long as telephones themselves. They’ve even made their way into the NFL before. In 2013, two 20-year-olds managed to connect then-Bills general manager Buddy Nix and then-Buccaneers GM Mark Dominik in a conference call. During the call, the two GMs unknowingly discussed free agency plans for six minutes, with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick being the primary topic.

However, the scale and scope of the prank call situation during the 2025 NFL draft appear to have reached a breaking point for the league. The NFL has been notably silent on the issue, issuing only a brief statement acknowledging an ongoing investigation. The irony, of course, is that the investigation must begin within the NFL itself.

The fundamental question is whether the league distributed the phone numbers to an unnecessarily large group of people. The answer appears to be a resounding yes. The inclusion of individuals beyond the essential decision-makers created a fertile ground for leaks, whether intentional or accidental.

The NFL will likely need to significantly restrict the distribution list for these single-purpose phones in the future. This may involve limiting access to only general managers, head coaches, and a small number of trusted staff members. It may also involve implementing stricter security protocols to prevent unauthorized sharing of the numbers.

The league’s embarrassment stems not only from the security breach itself but also from the fact that the issue has become a public spectacle. The leaked numbers and prank calls have generated negative publicity and raised questions about the NFL’s competence in managing sensitive information.

A former league employee speculates that changes are inevitable, even if the NFL’s internal investigation finds no deliberate wrongdoing. The league understands the need to protect its image and ensure a smoother draft process in the future. The 2025 draft debacle serves as a stark reminder that even the most well-intentioned initiatives can backfire when security and discretion are not prioritized. The NFL now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and restoring confidence in its ability to manage sensitive information while maintaining the theatrical elements of the draft that fans have come to expect. The league’s reputation for meticulous control is on the line.