What had been rumored for weeks became a reality on Thursday night: Shedeur Sanders was not selected in the first round of the NFL Draft — a surprising outcome even with all the talk of a potential slide. While there was speculation that he could fall, most still expected a team to take a chance on him late in Day 1.
Legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban shared his thoughts on Sanders’ slide in the draft and offered words of encouragement to the quarterback.
Nick Saban Gives Insight on How Shedeur Sanders Should Approach This Draft Fall
With Sanders slipping into the second round, what was once seen as an unlikely scenario has now become reality. The rumors that NFL teams viewed the quarterback as arrogant and not quite as talented as previously believed have proven true.
This kind of wake-up call can go one of two ways for a player — it can either fuel growth or derail confidence. In Sanders’ case, the pressure is even greater. He’s not just any quarterback; he’s the son of Deion Sanders, one of the greatest NFL players of all time and a legend at his position. That legacy carries weight, and with it, lofty expectations.
But expectations can be tricky. As Saban pointed out, what truly matters isn’t where you’re drafted — it’s what you do after that moment. The message is now clear for Sanders: Let go of the narrative, embrace the opportunity, and prove yourself on the field.
“We shouldn’t take any player and create an expectation for them, because basically it’s not about where you get picked. It’s about when you get picked — do you take the opportunity that you were given to make the best of the opportunity that you have? And I think Shedeur Sanders is going to do that.”
POWERFUL: NICK SABAN TELLS SHEDEUR SANDERS IT DOES NOT MATTER WHEN HE IS DRAFTED.
“It’s not about where you get picked; it’s about when you get picked. Do you take the opportunity you were given to make the best…”
“He’s going to have a great career.” pic.twitter.com/brtbP5l6Rh— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 25, 2025
The Cleveland Browns are a team to watch as a potential landing spot for Sanders early in the second round. Holding picks No. 33 (first of Day 2) and No. 36, Cleveland is in a perfect position to take a chance on the Colorado quarterback.
At this point, Sanders will no longer be seen as a star coming out of college but rather as a developmental project, just like any other prospect still on the board.
“We created this expectation for this guy, that he’s going to get picked, but that just creates an expectation — it’s not a reality. The teams that evaluate players and give them opportunities, that’s what matters. And Shedeur is going to get picked and he’s going to have a great career,” Saban added.
If Cleveland doesn’t end up being the landing spot, it’s expected that Sanders won’t fall past pick No. 40, currently held by the New Orleans Saints. Regardless of where he ends up, Sanders’ NFL career is about to begin — and he’ll need to understand that any fame or success at the next level must be earned all over again, on the field.