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Shedeur Sanders — one of the biggest names in the 2025 NFL Draft as a polarizing prospect with a Hall of Fame father — was not selected in the top 10 during Thursday’s draft, sliding multiple spots from where some originally projected the Colorado quarterback would be picked.
Only one QB was selected in the top 10: Miami’s Cam Ward by the Tennessee Titans at No. 1. The New Orleans Saints, who were previously rumored to be targeting a quarterback and potentially Sanders, took Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. with the No. 9 pick.
Various mock drafts and experts projected that Sanders would be selected in the first round, but there was no clear consensus on where he’d go. In a post-combine mock draft in March, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler projected Sanders would be selected at No. 21 by the Pittsburgh Steelers (other outlets like ESPN and USA Today also projected that’s where Sanders would be selected). However, Brugler’s latest mock draft doesn’t list Sanders in the first round at all, instead indicating the Steelers could take Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at No. 21 to strengthen their defensive line.
Brugler previously noted that Sanders was expected to be a “wild card” in this draft and that the QB “could go in the top six or fall out of the first round entirely — and neither outcome would be a shock.” There had been speculation that the New York Giants, who held a private workout with Sanders in Boulder earlier this month, would take him with the No. 3 pick (they went with edge rusher Abdul Carter). Pittsburgh was also widely deemed a possible landing spot for Sanders since the franchise, which entered the draft with only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson in their QB room, has uncertainty at that position.
The 23-year-old Sanders started all four of his collegiate seasons — his first two at Jackson State and his last two at Colorado — playing for his father, Deion Sanders, who has frequently and publicly commented on his son’s draft process in recent months.
Shedeur totaled 134 touchdowns and 14,347 yards during his collegiate career, including a career-high 4,134 yards, and completed 74 percent of his passes for the Buffaloes last season, which he spent playing alongside his brother Shilo and 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter, who the Jacksonville Jaguars selected with the No. 2 pick.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
