For weeks, there was buzz that Shedeur Sanders might go as high as a top-three pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Some mocks had him linked to the Giants, the Raiders, even the Saints — all teams rumored to have legit interest. He took meetings, conducted a private workout with New York, and his draft stock seemed steady throughout the process. But when Round 1 wrapped up Thursday night, Shedeur’s name had yet to be called.
Buffs fans might be surprised, but insiders and league scouts had been preparing for this possibility for a while now. With only a few true quarterback-needy teams at the top and a draft class stacked with high-end linemen, the fit didn’t come together. The Steelers were a dark horse team, and many thought they might trade up for Shedeur, but that never materialized.
The way the board played out didn’t do him any favors. Cam Ward went number one overall to the Titans — a pick that had been whispered for weeks. Then, near the end of the first round, the Giants traded back into the mix and took Jaxson Dart at pick 25. New York had hosted Shedeur twice in the last month, and the belief was mutual interest. But when their move came, it was for someone else entirely.
The slide doesn’t change much about Shedeur’s long-term outlook — it just delays the moment. He’ll almost certainly be one of the first names off the board in Round 2, which kicks off Friday evening. Some teams that passed on him earlier might circle back with better value in mind, and his situation could even work out better depending on the landing spot. Teams to look out for include the Browns, Saints, and Steelers.
The wait wasn’t what Buff Nation hoped for, but the opportunity is still coming. Round 2 is up next, and someone’s about to get a franchise quarterback.