Shedeur Sanders, the Colorado quarterback and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, unexpectedly fell to Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, raising eyebrows among analysts and fans alike. Despite being regarded as a talented player, his draft stock plummeted due to his perceived mismanagement of the process. Analysts suggest that the NFL's decision to pass on Sanders, who was projected to be selected earlier, sends a clear message to future prospects about the importance of handling the pre-draft process with care.

Jonathan Jones from CBS Sports highlights that Sanders' fall doesn't reflect his on-field talent but rather his behavior leading up to the draft. Comments from Deion Sanders about potentially manipulating the draft echo Eli Manning's infamous stance years ago, and Sanders' social media activity further complicated perceptions. His decision not to throw at the combine and lackluster interviews reportedly alienated some teams, leading to doubts about his commitment and fit. The NFL's actions, it seems, are intended to convey a lesson to both Sanders and other prospects who may underestimate the significance of professionalism in the lead-up to the draft.