As most would have expected, the biggest storyline coming out of the first night of this year’s NFL draft was Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
However, the reason he was so heavily discussed wasn’t because a team took a chance on the son of Deion Sanders, but because he slid all the way out of the first round. A development that occurred even though ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked him as his No. 5 prospect in the class before the draft.
Only two quarterbacks saw their names called during the first round, with Miami quarterback Cam Ward opening the draft by being selected by the Tennessee Titans. The second was Ole Miss‘ Jaxson Dart, who the New York Giants traded back into the first round for, selecting at No. 25.
As the broadcast frequently jumped to Sanders’ watch party in Canton, Texas, his older brother Deion Sanders Jr. sent a message of encouragement.
“Thank You God,” wrote Sanders. Let your will be done.”
Deion Sanders with his sons Shedeur Sanders (left) and Deion Sanders Jr. (right).
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
It was clear that no one at the Sanders party was expecting him to fall out of the first, as a video of Shedeur surfaced after the first round, addressing those in attendance.
“We all didn’t expect this of course,” Sanders said. “But I feel like with God anything possible. Everything possible. I don’t feel like this happened you know for no reason. All this is is fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance we all know this shouldn’t happened. But we understand, we on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day and we’re gonna be happy regardless.”
In terms of where he may end up, it is worth noting that the Cleveland Browns, to whom he has frequently been linked, did not take a quarterback in the opening round. They also happen to have two of the first four picks in the second round.
In Athlon Sports’ updated mock after the first round, Luke Easterling projected that Sanders’ slide would stop at pick No. 37, which is held by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Similar to Sanders opening night, fans will simply just have to wait.
