Shedeur Sanders was not drafted in the first round primarily because NFL teams and executives did not view him as a first-round talent. Despite some media analysts projecting him as a potential top-10 pick, league insiders consistently gave him a borderline second-round grade or lower. Concerns included his pocket presence, mobility, arm strength, and the consistency of his shorter throws. Additionally, there were questions about his leadership style, demeanor, and off-field "baggage," including a flashy persona and issues during pre-draft interviews that made some teams wary. The perception of being a "nepo baby" (son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders) and related skepticism also affected his draft stock. Some reports even claim the NFL may have indirectly discouraged teams from selecting him early as an example. Consequently, he slid down to the fifth round, where the Cleveland Browns selected him with the 144th overall pick.

Key reasons for not being drafted early

• Lack of a first-round grade by most NFL teams, despite some favorable media projections.
• Concerns about his performance traits such as pocket movement, arm strength, and accuracy of shorter throws.
• Off-field concerns including attitude and leadership style.
• Potential bias and skepticism surrounding his fame as Deion Sanders’ son.
• Speculation about league influence to deter early drafting.

Outcome

Sanders was drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns and is now starting his NFL career aiming to prove his doubters wrong.