NFL World Stunned As Shedeur Sanders's Draft Free Fall Continues Into Third Day

The Colorado quarterback remains available after the draft's third round.

Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sanders warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Alamodome. / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders's wait to hear his name called in the NFL draft continues.

The Colorado quarterback wasn't picked in the first round on Thursday night, which was a shocker in its own right. Now, one day and two more rounds later, Sanders remains on the board.

Five quarterback prospects were taken in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL draft. On Friday night, Louisville's Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints), Alabama's Jalen Milroe (Seattle Seahawks) and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel (Cleveland Browns) fulfilled their dreams and learned their NFL homes. Draft experts widely considered Sanders a top quarterback prospect in this draft class, debatably behind only Cam Ward, who went No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans.

After 102 total picks, Sanders continues to wait. And the free fall may just be the most shocking NFL draft development in recent memory.

And it left the NFL world absolutely stunned:

"Why is Shedeur Sanders not picked now?"

Daniel Jeremiah and Joel Klatt offered their input. pic.twitter.com/3wzNFmuNxq

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 26, 2025

Shedeur Sanders not being draft in the first 3 rounds of the NFL Draft is RIDICULOUS.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 26, 2025

The move for Camp Sanders at this point has to be to leak that they didn't want to go certain places the whole time, fast forward him to undrafted free agency and try to pair Shedeur with a friendly face.

— Conor Orr (@ConorOrr) April 26, 2025

Shedeur Sanders’ slide has gone from predictable to surprising to painful. Hard to believe we are 80 picks in and he’s still available.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) April 26, 2025

At this point Shedeur Sanders needs to guard himself psychologically and lean on self-belief and faith.

This is the next tier of life: Enduring adversities out of one's control, and the rude awakening of adulthood.

While his pedigree may create concern and envy, his last name…

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 26, 2025

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO SHEDEUR SANDERS IS THE MOST STUNNING AND DISGUSTING DEVELOPMENT IN NFL DRAFT HISTORY. HE SHOULD'VE GONE 1ST OVERALL. MEL KIPER RANKED HIM 5TH, ABOVE CAM WARD AT 6TH.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 26, 2025

I’m now willing to believe any conspiracy theory involving Shadeur Sanders y’all have.

— Van “Not Going Anywhere” Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) April 26, 2025

I mean, just a few weeks ago people had Shedeur still as a potential top 5 pick.

Can’t ever remember a case to this extreme in a draft.

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 26, 2025

No disrespect to him but there’s not a world where Dillon Gabriel is currently better than or has more long term upside than Shedeur Sanders

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) April 26, 2025

I feel bad for Shedeur at this point. But coming into a team with a chip on the shoulder and less pressure could be a great situation.

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 26, 2025

At this point, it's difficult to envision when the slide will end for Sanders. You just have to hope he's doing O.K. through the madness. The former Colorado quarterback posted a grateful message on his X, formerly known as Twitter, account Friday night toward the end of the draft's second day.

Hopefully he continues to keep his head up as the shocking draft experience unfolds. The draft is set to conclude Saturday after rounds four through seven.

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