Shedeur Sanders’ unbelievable NFL Draft slide: Bruce Feldman reveals NFL’s biggest oversight of 2025

Shedeur Sanders was supposed to be one of the hottest prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. But when the former Colorado Buffaloes star fell all the way to the fifth round, taken at pick No. 144 by the Cleveland Browns, it left fans and analysts stunned. How could a player with his pedigree, who was once projected to go in the top five slip so drastically? Was it a major misjudgment by NFL teams, or is there something deeper behind his unexpected fall?


Despite Shedeur Sanders' hype, several NFL teams passed on him for lesser-known quarterbacks. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic suggests the reason was chemistry. Teams doubted Sanders’ ability to adapt to a backup role, as he’s always been the star quarterback and leader at every level.
"So much of being an NFL backup quarterback is how comfortable the starter is with the other two QBs in the room. Sanders has always been the starting QB and the star wherever he’s been, at Jackson State and then Colorado. I suspect his fit played a role in why so many teams opted not to pick him earlier," Feldman stated.
But that’s not the whole story. Anonymous NFL scouts have been outspoken about Sanders’ performance, with one offensive coordinator even suggesting that Sanders isn’t a complete quarterback. While they praised his intelligence and toughness, they criticized his inconsistent play, citing his 94 sacks over two seasons at Colorado as a major red flag. His perceived lack of elite arm strength and running ability only added fuel to the fire.

The truth is, Sanders’ fall could be one of the biggest mistakes in recent draft history. His college career at Colorado demonstrated poise, leadership, and a skill set that should have positioned him much higher in the draft. Yet, as the NFL focused on his perceived weaknesses, they overlooked his potential for growth. Now, as a Cleveland Brown in a competitive quarterback room with Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and Joe Flacco, Sanders has the chance to turn his critics into believers.
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Shedeur Sanders’ unexpected slide to the fifth round could actually be a great thing for his career. With something to prove, he’s ready to make his mark in the NFL. Whether he meets the high expectations or becomes a warning for other teams, Sanders is determined to show that his draft fall was a mistake teams will regret.