NFL Hall of Famer Critiques Shedeur Sanders' Draft Missteps

Shedeur Sanders' dramatic slide to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft has sparked widespread debate, with consensus among former players and analysts that his approach to the pre-draft process hurt his stock. Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter criticized Sanders and his family for overplaying their hand, mishandling interviews, and projecting entitlement, which he believes cost Sanders millions and damaged his reputation among NFL teams. Mark Schlereth echoed these views, noting that while Sanders has talent, he is not considered a generational player like his father, Deion Sanders, and therefore needed to excel in intangibles such as interviews and attitude—areas where he reportedly fell short. Additionally, the heavy social media presence and efforts to control his draft narrative may have backfired, making NFL evaluators wary. Despite speculation, Carter dismissed the idea of owner collusion, asserting that each team acted in its own interest. The prevailing view is that Sanders must now prove himself at the professional level to overcome the skepticism generated during the draft process.