The biggest story of the 2025 NFL Draft is the freefall of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was expected to be a first-round pick. However, he did not hear his name called within the first three rounds.
He remains on the board as the fourth round progresses. Concerns over his interview have arisen throughout these last two days. However, one high-ranking NFL executive has offered to vouch for the Colorado quarterback’s character.
Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Offers To Be Character Reference for Shedeur Sanders
One team that many floated as a potential landing spot for Sanders is the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas has Dak Prescott firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback. However, Sanders could learn from Prescott. He could then either take the reins himself or potentially be used as a trade chip.
The Cowboys, obviously, have not drafted Sanders. Dallas has focused on other areas of the field. However, owner Jerry Jones is willing to act as a character reference if any teams have concerns over the Colorado quarterback.
“I know where the character is there, and it is great character, Jones told Fort-Worth Star Telegram reporter Nick Harris on Friday, April 25. “If calls come my way, they will get firsthand knowledge of my life with him over the last 20 years. I’m a big person about the character of the Sanders family.”
Sanders certainly has the tools to succeed in the NFL. There is an NFL-caliber quarterback here if he goes to the right situation. At this point, he is likely to go to a team seeking a backup more than a starter.
“Sanders makes his money with accuracy, confidence, and composure, and his arm is more than good enough. But he’s not a high-level athlete or creator and his arm isn’t quite elite. Sanders also has a tendency to drift in the pocket, and play light on his feet, which can be harmful at times,” PFSN’s Ian Cummings wrote in a scouting report on Sanders before the 2025 NFL Draft.
“My pro comparison for Sanders is Brock Purdy — the 2022 seventh-rounder who grew into a Pro Bowl passer with the San Francisco 49ers. Sanders is undersized and unequipped with elite talent, but with his accuracy and gamer mentality, he can win in a system that offers support.”
There are still a few quarterback-needy teams that have not selected a signal-caller in this draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers stand out as a glaring option. They have not picked a quarterback despite only having Mason Rudolph on the roster as the only player with starting experience in the NFL.
The other remaining options are teams that aren’t seeking an immediate option. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams have a quarterback on the roster. The Cowboys fit this mold as well. However, Sanders would not be expected to start games for these teams right away.
Where Sanders goes still remains to be seen. No matter the outcome, this is still one of the most unprecedented draft freefalls we have witnessed in recent memory.