

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, delivering a whirlwind of excitement and unexpected twists. As most predicted, Cam Ward went first overall to the Tennessee Titans, becoming the 40th quarterback in NFL history to claim that honor – the third straight year and eighth time in the last decade that a QB has led the draft. The upsets started early when the Jacksonville Jaguars traded their 2026 first-rounder and fifth overall pick to the Cleveland Browns to secure the second pick and grab Heisman winner Travis Hunter. The New York Giants stuck to the script and took Penn State’s Abdul Carter with the third overall pick. But the real bombshell of the night? Shedeur Sanders, son of Deion Sanders and a once-hyped top-five prospect, didn’t even hear his name called. Left hanging at the end of the first round, Sanders’ future now hinges on Day 2, a stunning fall for a player once in the first-overall conversation.
A Steep Drop from the Spotlight
Shedeur Sanders‘ draft saga has been a wild ride. A few months ago, the oddsmakers had him pegged as a potential No. 1 pick, with his dazzling arm and cool playmaking fueling the hype. For a long time, he sat comfortably in top-10 projections, a near-certainty for the first round. But as the picks ticked by, teams looked elsewhere – some to other quarterbacks, others to other needs altogether. The Giants, a team many thought might snag a QB, threw a curveball by trading back into the round to pick Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart at 25, setting him up to grow up behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Now, Sanders faces the prospect of a second-round call-or maybe even the third. But don’t write him off just yet.
NFL history is littered with late-round picks who turned snubs into stars. Take Tom Brady, taken at 199 in 2000, who went on to rewrite the record books with seven Super Bowl rings. Brock Purdy, the last pick in the 2022 draft, has already tasted a Super Bowl with the 49ers. And the Kelce brothers – Jason (sixth round) and Travis (third round) – are proof that you don’t need a Day 1 pick to dominate. Sanders could still end up with the Browns at 33, where he’d compete with Kenny Pickett for the starting job and turn his draft-day disappointment into a fresh start.
Second-Day Stars: Proof Position Isn’t Everything
The NFL thrives on stories of overlooked talent shining bright, and recent drafts are no exception. Since 2020, the second and third rounds have produced game-changers who have flipped the script on their teams. Jonathan Taylor, taken by the Colts with the 41st pick in 2020, has bulldozed defenses as a rushing titan. Jalen Hurts, taken 53rd by the Eagles the same year, has become a cornerstone quarterback with his Super Bowl win. Nico Collins (89th, 2021) has emerged as a go-to receiver for the Texans, while James Cook (63rd, 2022) brings electric versatility to the Bills. Denver’s Nik Bonitto (64th, 2022), Detroit’s Sam LaPorta (34th, 2023), and Philly’s Cooper DeJean (40th, 2024) have all made waves, showing that Day 2 can yield Day 1 impact. Sanders, with his skill and drive, could easily join their ranks.
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