In an NFL draft season that has largely lacked drama or intrigue, one prospect has seemingly been making up for the dearth of storylines by himself.
Shedeur Sanders, the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback and son of football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has been one of the most talked-about names headed into Thursday’s event. That’s without any sort of consensus on how serious his pro potential really is, with prognosticators speculating Sanders could be picked as high as No. 3 overall by the New York Giants, No. 9 by the New Orleans Saints or outside the first round entirely.
And as much as Sanders has been scrutinized for his play on the field, he has also been picked apart off of it.
One quarterbacks coach reportedly referred to Sanders as “brash” and “arrogant.” Another assistant coach told NFL Network that he was “entitled” after what he described as “the worst formal interview” he’d ever been a part of.
It’s a narrative Sanders isn’t paying any mind ahead of the draft.
“I truly don’t have any space for negativity, so it doesn’t play a factor in my life at all,” Sanders told NBC News in April about the anonymous comments. “I understand the easiest thing in the world to do is to be negative instead of positive. I truly don’t care what people have to say.”
Sanders said that as the son of one of the NFL’s most electric personalities, he feels prepared for noise surrounding him. And he hasn’t been afraid to do things that attract attention, such as when he flexed his $70,000 watch at opponents and fans in a postgame celebration — a move a number of pros have emulated.
“I’m happy everything is happening this way. I like a lot of chaos, because it shows you who’s really there,” Sanders said. “I wouldn’t change a thing, because this adds to the story. People hating on a kid for no reason. I don’t get in trouble off the field. So you understand what it’s really about.”
As far as his actual quarterbacking is concerned, Sanders is a tricky projection. In his two years with the Buffaloes, he threw for 64 touchdowns and in his senior year completed 74% of his passes. But he also took 94 sacks over the last two seasons, perhaps a sign that he’s often holding on to the ball for too long.
Still, Sanders was ultimately a key member in turning Colorado around from a one-win team the year before he arrived in 2022 to a nine-win team in 2024.
To help navigate the draft process, Sanders has leaned on some past quarterbacks who’ve been more than willing to help advise him. He said Michael Vick, Byron Leftwich and Robert Griffin III are among those he has spoken to in anticipation of his NFL career.
“A lot of African American former quarterbacks that all understand what’s going on in society and just being big brothers for me,” he said. “Leaning on those relationships whenever things get tough. They help me get through whatever I need to get through.”
Once the draft begins Thursday night, where Sanders is picked will be one of the most dramatic moments of the telecast. But he said not to expect a big show of emotion when he’s finally selected.
“It’s just something that comes with playing the caliber of football I played,” Sanders says, adding he’ll be more excited to see where some of his friends land. “I feel like this is supposed to happen. If it was a big surprise to me, then I wouldn’t feel like I earned it. That’s what will be on my mind.”
And what if Sanders does go third overall to the Giants, dropping him in New York and a city desperate for a good quarterback?
“I don’t think there’s a quarterback that will ever be prepared for that more than I am.”
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