Four rounds and 138 picks into the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders is still waiting to hear his name called.
Considered to be among the top quarterbacks available in this year’s draft class, Sanders’ dramatic slide continued Saturday when Round 4 came and went with no quarterbacks selected. There are 119 picks to go over the final three rounds.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers seemed like a potential option at No. 123, but they opted for Ohio State linebacker Jack Sawyer. The Las Vegas Raiders, another team that could draft a quarterback, instead went wide receiver and defensive tackle with their picks.
After slipping out of the first round, Sanders seemed confident he would be among the next crop of players announced. During a draft party at his father Deion’s home on Thursday night, Sanders told the crowd, “Tomorrow is the day.”
But Rounds 2 and 3 passed Friday, and the former Colorado QB went unclaimed. Five QBs went ahead of him, including two in the first round. The Tennessee Titans used the first pick to take Miami’s Cam Ward, and the New York Giants traded up to snag Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart at No. 25. Louisville’s Tyler Shough was the lone QB selected in Round 2 (No. 40, New Orleans Saints) while Round 3 saw Alabama’s Jalen Milroe (No. 92) and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel (No. 94) landed with the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns, respectively.
As he waited on Friday, Sanders was the victim of a prank call in which someone impersonated Saints general manager Mickey Loomis minutes before New Orleans announced its 40th pick.
“It’s been a long wait, man. We’re gonna take you with our next pick right here, man,” the caller said. The prank call was captured on video by Well Off Media, a YouTube channel run by Deion Sanders Jr., Shedeur’s older brother.
“Yes sir, let’s be legendary,” Sanders said.
“But you’re gonna have to wait a little bit longer, man. Sorry about that,” the caller said before hanging up.
Sanders downplayed the mock call but expressed confusion because the phone on which he received the call was new.
“Nobody has that number but coaches, strictly for that reason. Why get mad? They want you to have a certain type of reaction to it,” Sanders told his brother on the video. “They want you to feel bad. But I ain’t trippin’.”
The Athletic has live coverage of Rounds 4-7 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Read more of The Athletic’s coverage from the 2025 NFL Draft: Best Players Available | Rounds 2 & 3 Grades | Day 2 Winners & Losers
Sanders’ slide has elicited reactions from the football world and beyond. Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said Friday he was “surprised” to see Sanders still undrafted.
“There will be this chip on his shoulder and beware, because this guy is going to play in this league,” Payton said. “I think it’s hard for any of us to explain what other people are looking for.”
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Rounds 5 and 6 feature 40 picks each, and Round 7 wraps the draft with 41 picks. Notable QBs selected on the final day include Tom Brady (sixth round pick in 2000) and the “Mr. Irrelevant” of 2022, Brock Purdy.
If no team selects Sanders, he will become an undrafted free agent (UDFA). UDFAs have the freedom to negotiate and sign with any team that offers them a contract. Noteworthy UDFA quarterbacks include Warren Moon, Kurt Warner and Tony Romo.
Sanders’ brother Shilo is also a Day 3 draft hopeful. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler rated Shilo Sanders as his No. 43 safety, with a UDFA grade.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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