In a recent interview with NBC Sports, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms discussed Shedeur Sanders’ approach to the NFL Draft process. Simms expressed concerns that Sanders’ actions may have been perceived as disrespectful by NFL teams, potentially contributing to his unexpected slide to the fifth round.
Simms highlighted that Sanders’ decision to skip certain drills at the NFL Combine and his perceived attempt to control his draft destination were viewed negatively by some teams. These actions may have raised questions about his professionalism and commitment to the draft process — something that team executives, coaches, and scouts take very seriously.
Shedeur Sanders May Have Been Perceived as Disrespectful of the NFL Draft Process
“This guy blew his whiteboard interviews (where players are asked to run through a play or concept on a whiteboard), said Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
“That’s a fact,” Simms responded. “He didn’t care.”
Simms explained that Sanders’ approach to the pre-draft process rubbed NFL decision-makers the wrong way.
“The first litmus test of the NFL … Is he going to work? Is he going to be ready? Is he going to be prepared to hear something he can affect?” Simms wondered. “He disrespected the process, and that’s where a lot of the NFL was very turned off by Shedeur Sanders.”
“I do think some insiders leading up to the draft are starting to hear like, ‘Wait, uh, I talked to team X and they’re kind of trying to tell people Shedeur Sanders wasn’t one of their three favorite quarterbacks on the board.’
“Teams started to go a little bit, like, ‘Uh, meetings weren’t very good, we weren’t very impressed with pro day, all of that,’ but, like, the public didn’t quite want to buy it. I’m just trying to say I do think the league was trying to warn us a little bit leading up to the draft.”
Sanders admitted that during his team visits, he was interviewing executives just as much as they were interviewing him, which didn’t sit well with everyone. Sanders has said that some executives and coaches seemed “offended” and “uncomfortable” with his approach.
Also, Simms and Florio’s claim that Sanders struggled in whiteboard interviews lines up with what draft analyst Todd McShay said recently on his podcast. Prior to the NFL Draft, McShay revealed that New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll called out Sanders for being unprepared during the meeting and the two butted heads.
“I’ve heard from two different sources that his visit with head coach Brian Daboll did not go particularly well,” McShay said. “Shedeur didn’t have a great interview with Brian Daboll in a private visit. An install package came in, the preparation wasn’t there for it. [Shedeur] got called out on it, didn’t like that. Brian didn’t appreciate him not liking it. … The interviews did not go well.”
After a tumultuous pre-draft process full of potential misunderstandings, perceived slights, and accusations that Sanders was trying to dictate where he would go, Sanders ultimately tumbled to the fifth round where he landed with the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders still possesses significant potential, but he also requires development. He has obvious physical abilities, and no one denies that he may be the most accurate quarterback prospect in the 2025 draft class.
However, many in the NFL think his on-field decision-making needs drastic improvement. Sanders took 52 sacks in 2024 with the Colorado Buffaloes. While he worked behind a questionable offensive line, most analysts feel that he held the ball for far too long and would try to extend plays when he should have bailed.
However, Sanders’ reaction to his new reality is promising. He’s been saying all of the right things since his tumble and even admitted that he should have done some things differently.
Sanders has a proven track record of performing under pressure, and all eyes will be on the rookie to see how he ultimately responds to this new set of challenges.
Chris Simms us valid because of his great NFL career…..right?
Well I’m willing to bet he played in the NFL a lot more than you did.