Matt Hasselbeck Explains Why Shedeur Sanders Fell in the 2025 NFL Draft

Shedeur Sanders' NFL Draft Slide

• 🏈 Shedeur Sanders unexpectedly fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, ultimately being selected 144th overall by the Cleveland Browns.
• 🎯 The situation is described as "musical chairs" for starting quarterback positions, with only a few teams actively seeking one.
• 📉 Sanders was reportedly in the running for a starting job but was passed over by teams like the Giants (who picked Jackson Dart), Saints (who picked Tyler Shuck), and Browns (who picked Dylan Gabriel).

Potential Reasons for the Draft Drop

• ⚠️ A primary reason cited for his slide is his personality, with some NFL teams reportedly having reservations about his fit as a backup quarterback in their locker rooms.
• 🤝 While Deion Sanders' influence and past success are respected, his "bravado and brashness" might have played a role, though it's not considered the sole factor.
• 🔑 The key intangibles for NFL locker rooms are identified as excellence, hard work, and unselfishness/humility.
• ❓ Teams may have perceived Sanders as not being elite in the unselfishness and humility aspects, leading them to favor other quarterbacks with similar talent but stronger intangible qualities.

Talent vs. Intangibles in the Draft

• 📈 Ordinarily, teams draft high-talent players even without an immediate need, but Sanders' talent wasn't considered so overwhelmingly superior that teams felt compelled to overlook potential character concerns.
• 💡 Several other quarterbacks like Will Howard, Riley Leonard, and Kyle McCord were also in consideration and may have excelled in the intangible areas scouts prioritize.
• ❓ The decision for teams often comes down to selecting one player, and other quarterbacks were ultimately chosen over Sanders for various reasons, including perceived better fits for team culture and backup roles.