The 2025 NFL Draft has moved quickly, with Day 1 and Day 2 already in the books, but one major name — Shedeur Sanders — is still shockingly undrafted. His absence from the board has sparked confusion and frustration among fans and insiders alike.
Everything seemed to shift when two teams, needing quarterbacks, passed on Sanders during Friday’s selections. Early on, teams like the Browns, Saints, and Raiders were seen as potential landing spots. However, when Seattle chose Jalen Milroe at pick 92, and Cleveland selected Dillon Gabriel at pick 94, eyebrows were raised.
Crazy
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 26, 2025
Patrick Mahomes even commented on the situation via social media, simply posting “Crazy,” summing up what many people were feeling. One fan even joked that the Kansas City Chiefs should draft Sanders as “Mr. Irrelevant,” the title given to the final pick of the draft.
Adding to the stir, former NFL linebacker and TV host Emmanuel Acho publicly voiced his frustration, leaving his dinner to react. Acho emphasized that not being selected in the first three rounds is a significant blow for a quarterback, as late-round picks are often treated as backup options and given little patience or opportunity. He pointed out that quarterbacks drafted after the third round, like Dak Prescott and Brock Purdy, usually only get their chance if a starter gets injured. According to him, if Sanders falls to the later rounds, his chances of making an impact shrink dramatically, putting his professional future on a thinner margin.
Acho stressed that this issue is bigger than just pride for Sanders and his famous father, Deion Sanders; it’s about opportunity. First-round quarterbacks are often given multiple chances to succeed, but fourth-rounders? They can be cut after the smallest mistake.
Stephen A. Smith also weighed in, sharing that someone texted him saying that the situation looked like “Kaepernick-level collusion” — a serious accusation suggesting a coordinated effort among teams to avoid drafting Sanders. Smith emphasized that the perception of unfair treatment could overshadow all the work the NFL has done to clean up its image, and Sanders’ situation could dominate the storylines of this draft class.
Meanwhile, Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre shared his own experience, posting a nostalgic photo from his draft day. Favre pointed out that it’s not about when you’re drafted but what you do once you’re in the league. He humorously noted that even the team that picked him didn’t really want him at first.
For Sanders, though, the situation feels different. Many fans believed he was set to be a top pick, perhaps even second overall. Yet, after two days, he remains without a team.
The Cleveland Browns’ decision at pick 94 especially shocked many. Given the team’s clear need for a future quarterback — considering the current roster’s issues with injuries and aging — fans expected them to select Sanders. Instead, they went with Dillon Gabriel, a 24-year-old, 5’11” quarterback who transferred between three schools during his college career. Despite Gabriel’s decorated season at Oregon, including a 72.9% completion rate for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions, few ranked him ahead of Sanders. Gabriel even finished third in Heisman voting.
During a press conference, Browns GM Andrew Berry defended the pick, citing Gabriel’s poise, accuracy, mobility, and ability to throw with anticipation. Berry admitted that Gabriel’s lack of ideal height was a concern but insisted it didn’t show up in his performance.
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders, who is taller, stronger, and had better overall college stats, continued to slide. It’s becoming clear that NFL teams have concerns about him that aren’t obvious to the public. With every pick that passes, the questions grow louder about what might really be influencing the league’s decision-making.
For the Browns, passing on Sanders could become a decision they come to regret if Gabriel doesn’t pan out — and if Sanders ends up proving himself elsewhere.