What is going on with Shedeur Sanders?
That is the question on the minds of every fan and analyst as the NFL Draft unfolds. The storyline of Sanders’ descent from consensus first-round pick to still being available on Day Three has dominated the draft. It is a near-unprecedented fall for the Colorado quarterback, and the NFL world is trying to solve the mystery on what caused his stock to tank as dramatically as it has.
When asking that question, there are a few factors worth considering.
Why is Shedeur Sanders falling down the draft boards?
The first factor is not really Sanders’s fault, but is worth bringing up: NFL scouts widely preferred 2026’s quarterback crop compared to this year.
Many prospects from next year, and even last year’s talented group, were considered better than even Cam Ward, who went to the Tennessee Titans with the first overall pick. Texas’s Arch Manning is the most high-profile prospect of the bunch, and a huge season with the Longhorns could propel him to the first overall pick. Other names potentially available in 2026 include Penn State’s Drew Allar, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik.
While Sanders cannot control that aspect of his pro fate, what truly turned scouts away from him was his interviews, according to various sources.
Days before the draft, reports came out suggesting that Sanders had struggled during the interview process, showing some level of disinterest in certain teams and leaving coaches and executives concerned about his ability to handle a NFL locker room experience. According to NFL’s Tom Pelissero, an anonymous NFL assistant coach called his interview with Sanders as “the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in in my life.” With pre-existing concerns about his readiness at the professional level, combining those by not endearing himself to potential suitors is going to lead to teams taking him off their board entirely.
“His approach to this pre-draft process should be a lesson in what not to do for future quarterbacks. You cannot simply declare yourself something you aren’t and hope nobody checks you on it,” said The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner.
“The reality here is that Sanders is a good football player, a quality prospect and someone who could eventually turn into a functional starter so long as he’s surrounded by talent and a strong offensive line. But the questions about his arm talent, size, pocket processing and general over-confidence were very real.”
With Sanders still on the board with Round Four almost complete, it remains to be seen what the future holds for him in the NFL.
Recent reports suggest Shedeur Sanders might be available at a discount for Raiders
