Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Slide: Attitude Concerns and Missed Obligations Emerge
Shedeur Sanders, once considered a potential top-five pick in the NFL Draft, experienced a dramatic fall, ultimately being selected in the fifth round. In the aftermath of the draft, reports have surfaced, casting a shadow on his attitude and commitment, contributing to his unexpected slide.
Before the draft, whispers circulated about Sanders’ interactions with coaches. One report described his formal interview as "the worst," painting a picture of entitlement. These claims fueled concerns about his coachability and willingness to learn at the professional level. Other reports indicated a lack of engagement in meetings, particularly with the New York Giants. This perceived disinterest raised questions about his dedication to the process and his potential fit with certain teams.
Now that the draft is over, stories are emerging that offer additional insights into Sanders’ behavior during his college career. Ross Tucker, a CBS analyst, recounted an instance where Sanders skipped a media obligation. Typically, star players, particularly quarterbacks, and coaches meet with broadcasters leading up to games. However, before a game against Colorado State, Sanders was a no-show for a scheduled CBS meeting.
Tucker explained that the meeting was initially scheduled for a Wednesday but was moved to Friday due to Sanders receiving treatment for an injury. Despite the rescheduling, Sanders never appeared. "We weren’t really given a reason, but we did not talk to Shedeur at the production meetings, which, as you know, starting quarterback, especially high-profile player like that, very unusual," Tucker said on "The Dan Patrick Show."
Adding a layer of intrigue, Tucker described witnessing Sanders casually sitting in the back of a pickup truck in front of the hotel while he was supposed to be meeting with CBS. "I walk out of the hotel, and there’s a pickup truck in front of the hotel, and Shedeur is just sitting in the back of the pickup truck," Tucker stated.
This incident prompted Tucker to question Sanders’ overall attitude and work ethic. "It just made me wonder," he admitted. He shared the story with NFL personnel, who responded with knowing nods, suggesting that such behavior might not have been isolated.
"People asked me, NFL people asked me after that game, ‘What did you think of Shedeur?’ And I said, ‘I didn’t get to talk to him.’ Maybe he’s the greatest kid ever, maybe he’s a bad kid. I don’t know. But I told them the story, and they just kind of nodded their head," Tucker said.
Tucker surmised that there might be other unreported instances where Sanders deviated from customary practices, speculating that this could have contributed to the negative perception he developed during the combine interviews and meetings with teams.
"And it just made me wonder how many stories are there like that in which Shedeur did things that were not customary. He did things non-traditionally. It certainly seemed like that was the deal with a lot of the combine interviews and meetings with teams. And especially at that position, I think it makes them very nervous that already in college he was getting out of things that you’re supposed to be doing. What’s he gonna be like if hes a first-round pick in the NFL Draft?"
Sanders’ draft stock began to plummet after the New York Giants traded up to select Jaxson Dart at pick 25. This decision signaled that the Giants, a team previously linked to Sanders, were no longer interested in him. The slide continued on day two of the draft, with Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel all being selected before Sanders.
Ultimately, Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the 144th overall pick. The Browns’ quarterback room already includes Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett, creating a competitive environment for Sanders. Notably, Dillon Gabriel, another quarterback drafted before Sanders, also landed with the Browns.
The emergence of these negative reports and the account of Sanders’ missed media obligation paint a picture of a player who may have struggled with aspects of professionalism and commitment. These factors could have contributed significantly to his dramatic fall in the draft.
Whether these concerns are justified or represent an unfair assessment of Sanders remains to be seen. However, it is clear that his attitude and actions were scrutinized by NFL teams, ultimately impacting his draft position. As he embarks on his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, Sanders will have the opportunity to address these concerns and prove his commitment to becoming a successful professional quarterback.
