Shedeur Sanders, son of a Dallas Cowboys legend, was a highly anticipated prospect in the NFL Draft but fell to the fifth round, raising eyebrows across the league. Hall of Famer Troy Aikman shared insights on why teams hesitated to select him earlier, noting that doubts lingered about his potential as a franchise quarterback. The Cleveland Browns, who traded away their second overall pick, ultimately selected Sanders as part of a crowded quarterback room, which also includes veterans like Joe Flacco and an injured Deshaun Watson.

Aikman reflected on his expectations, predicting that Sanders might go as high as the first round, and suggested that a different approach to the draft process might have benefited Sanders. While acknowledging the challenges ahead as a fifth-round pick, Aikman remained optimistic about Sanders' future in the NFL.

The Atlanta Falcons faced a significant penalty from the NFL after a prank call incident involving quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, prank-called Sanders by pretending to be the Saints' GM Mickey Loomis, which was considered a breach of league protocols.

As a result, the Falcons were fined $250,000, while Jeff Ulbrich received a personal fine of $100,000. The organization acknowledged the issue and expressed commitment to stricter adherence to security policies, also highlighting the Ulbrich family's intent to participate in community service initiatives. Sanders, who was ultimately drafted by the Cleveland Browns, remarked that the prank was "childish" but did not affect him significantly.

New York Giants' first-round pick Abdul Carter was among the draftees who received prank calls on draft night. Carter, selected third overall, was led to believe he would be drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who instead chose Travis Hunter. This incident also affected Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, among others, who received similar bogus calls. The NFL responded by imposing heavy fines, notably on the Atlanta Falcons and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, whose son was involved in the prank that misled Sanders.

The incident involving Jax Ulbrich, son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, prank-calling quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL Draft has sparked significant controversy. Jax impersonated a general manager, misleading Sanders as he slipped to the fifth round, resulting in widespread backlash from fans and analysts alike. Following the prank, both the Falcons organization and Jax faced hefty fines, totaling $250,000 for the team and $100,000 for Jax. The NFL's decision to penalize the Falcons indicates serious concerns over confidentiality breaches ahead of the draft. This incident reflects poorly on the Falcons, overshadowing their successful draft haul that included standout players like Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons face scrutiny once again, as their organizational dysfunction leads to significant penalties from the NFL. After a prank call incident involving college quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Falcons were fined $250,000, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich received a $100,000 fine for failing to secure confidential draft information. The prank, orchestrated by Ulbrich's son, was seen as a serious breach of conduct, prompting apologies from both Ulbrich and the Falcons organization.

In addition to this blunder, the Falcons have made questionable decisions in recent drafts. Last year, they controversially picked Michael Penix Jr. right after signing Kirk Cousins to a massive contract. This year, they traded away a future first-round pick to select defensive end James Pearce Jr. With a poor track record in recent drafts, the Falcons have raised alarms about their ability to build a competitive team.