Stephen Holderapr 24, 2025, 11:58 PM ET
Lostestephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and the entire NFL. Stephen took first place in column writing at the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editorial Competition. He has been in the NFL since 2005 and has covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005 to 2013 and the Colts since 2013.
Colorado quarterback Chedur Sanders was considered one of the biggest wildcards to enter the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.
After all, he will also be a wild card on Friday.
Having enjoyed the prolific season of 2024 and recorded the highest FBS record ever with a career completion rate of 71.8%, Sanders was not selected in the opening round of the draft, waiting for his fate to be determined Friday night and the start of round two.
In a video posted to social media after the first round was completed, Sanders didn’t think he hadn’t been drafted Thursday, but he looked bright.
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“Of course, we didn’t expect this,” Sanders said the crowd gathered where they saw the draft. “But I feel like I’m with God, anything is possible – everything is possible.
“I don’t think this happened for no reason. This is, of course, fuel for fire. Under no circumstances – we all know that this shouldn’t have happened. But we understand, we’re doing bigger and better. Tomorrow is that day.
Chedur, the son of Big 12 offensive player of the year and Hall of Fame cornerback and Colorado coach Dion Sanders, was one of the most discussed prospects to take part in the draft. He was also a unique outlook in terms of his enormous celebrities and personality, and only his immeasurable confidence matched.
I don’t know if any of these variables played a role in his sudden fall, but Sanders has long admitted that he is not a prospect of changing your garden.
“I think you’re worried about what critics are saying and what people have to say,” he said during the NFL Scouting Combine in February. “Do you know who my father is? They hate him too.”
Sanders refused an invitation to the Green Bay, Wisconsin draft and chose to spend the night in his hometown of Texas with his family and many guests. But the night didn’t bring much to celebrate them.
Earlier on Thursday, Sanders posted to X.
I’m built for what brings today
– Shedeur Sanders (@shedeursanders) April 24, 2025
At some points on Thursday, his moment seemed to come.
The Cleveland Browns chose Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham as they needed a quarterback and traded down from the second pick. The New Orleans saint chose Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks, number 9, due to uncertainty about the quarterback situation.
After that, we had long discussions with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and were expected when the Pittsburgh Steelers approached No. 21, with no proven starter on the roster.
Finally, the New York Giants were upset when they returned to the first round, trading picks with the Houston Texans to get their 25th selection. However, instead of choosing Sanders, New York chose Mississippi’s Jackson Darts.
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It was probably a frustrating series of events for Sanders, who repeatedly expressed himself as one of the top prospects in the draft. At the combine, he said he would change the fate of the franchise who would choose him.
“If that’s not what you’re trying to do, don’t do it [pick] I said. “If you’re not trying to change your franchise or culture, [pick] myself. You need to know that history is repeated over and over again, and I do it again and again. So, that should be unquestionable. ”
Sanders said he and his father “we went from Jackson to Colorado and changed two programs back to back. So you don’t think we’ll be able to come to the NFL franchise and change the program again?”
Now, Sanders is positioned as having a similar fate to a quarterback who has been surprisingly dropped from the first round in the past.
In 2023, the expected early first round choice, Will Revis slid on the second day and was selected by the Tennessee Titans on the first pick of the second round. In 2013, Genosmith fell from round one and was selected by the New York Jets at No. 39.
Early test cases come soon on Friday nights. The Browns have their 33rd pick (first choice in the second round) and also own the 36th option, giving them two potential opportunities to grab Sanders. Beyond that, other possible landing spots include New Orleans (No. 40). The Steelers don’t have a second pick.
