Title: Shedur Sanders: Stats, Highlights, NIL Deals, and 2025 NFL Draft Prospects:

The NFL Draft is a big day for young football players. They wait to hear their names called so they can join a pro team. This article tells the story of Shedeur Sanders, a skilled quarterback who was expected to be picked early in the 2025 NFL Draft. But things didn’t go as planned. He had to wait a long time, and many people were surprised. One man was so upset, he even filed a lawsuit.

The Draft Day That Hurt Many:

Ten days after the 2025 NFL Draft ended, a lawsuit was filed in Atlanta. A man using the name John Doe asked for $100 million for emotional damage. He blamed it all on quarterback Shedeur Sanders falling in the draft.

Many thought Sanders would be picked in the top five. Instead, he dropped to round five, pick 144. This shocked many fans. For some, it felt like a personal loss.

The Lonely Chain:

One picture from draft night showed everything. Shedeur had jewelry ready to wear when his name was called. The main piece was a heavy silver chain with a big dollar sign and the letters "S squared."

But his name wasn’t called early. The chain stayed in its box, unworn and waiting.

The draft can feel like a school dance with no dancing. You dress up, wait for your name, and then hug the principal — here, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Some players even jumped into his arms. The league later told players to calm down.

Stars Who Did Shine:

Without Shedeur, others stood out. One was wide receiver Matthew Golden from Texas. He wore a golden patterned tuxedo with family photos inside. He also wore a chain with a big “G” and a star.

Golden was picked 22nd by Green Bay. He said he would buy back his grandma’s lost house with his contract money. His college deals had already helped him get ready for life in the NFL.

The Shadow of Deion:

Shedeur Sanders is the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. Deion was known for his skill and style. He coached Shedeur at Jackson State, then brought him to the University of Colorado.

This helped Shedeur in some ways but may have also hurt him. His brother Shilo wasn’t drafted. Travis Hunter, also coached by Deion, was picked second overall.

Some thought teams worried about Deion’s involvement. Before the draft, Deion said there were teams he wouldn’t want Shedeur to play for. That made people ask: Would he interfere with contracts or coaching?

A Drop No One Expected:

John Doe, who filed the lawsuit, said Shedeur was one of the top two quarterbacks. He said watching less skilled players get picked first was frustrating.

It sounds strange, but Doe is a 55-year-old man who runs a logistics company in Atlanta. He said the draft hurt his business emotionally. The court even let him file without paying fees.

Some thought Doe had money riding on Shedeur’s draft spot. But there’s no mention of betting in the lawsuit. The NFL also doesn’t allow gambling except through its approved partners.

From Top Prospect to Fifth Round:

At the end of college football, Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward from Miami were the top quarterbacks. But over time, Ward’s stock rose while Sanders’ fell.

Ward played at three colleges: Incarnate Word, Washington State, and Miami. His NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) earnings were over $2.1 million. Sanders, with help from his father, had an NIL deal worth about $6 million. That’s more than many first-round rookies make.

But that money didn’t help his draft chances. By draft day, Shedeur wasn’t seen as a top pick anymore.

Understanding the Draft Process:

The NFL Draft is different from other sports. The worst teams get the first picks. Players go through bowl games, all-star games, and the NFL Combine.

At the Combine, teams measure players, test speed and strength, and interview them. Some say it’s like a reality show, but it’s very serious for the players.

Experts called "draftniks" make fake drafts to guess who will be picked where. These guesses are often wrong but fans still watch them closely.

The Combine and What Went Wrong:

Shedeur Sanders didn’t play in the Senior Bowl. He also skipped workouts at the Combine. This made teams wonder.

Players with nothing to prove skip these events. But Sanders needed to show more. Teams worried about his speed, size, and choices on the field.

In meetings, including one with the New York Giants, Shedeur was said to be unprepared. He didn’t study the plays teams wanted him to. He seemed upset when asked questions. This gave a bad impression.

A System Quarterback?

Scouts liked Shedeur’s accuracy and calmness. But when facing strong pressure, he took too many sacks. His arm wasn’t very powerful. At just over 6’1”, his size was a worry, especially since he wasn’t very mobile.

Some scouts thought Shedeur only looked good because the offense was built for him. Being called a "system quarterback" can hurt a player’s draft chances.

Who Went Before Him?

Quarterbacks are usually picked early. But this year was different. Only one QB was picked in the top five: Cam Ward went to Tennessee.

Teams with QB needs passed. New Orleans picked a tackle instead. Pittsburgh waited to pick a defensive player. The Giants traded back into round one to take Jaxson Dart. The Saints picked Tyler Shough in round two. Jalen Milroe and Dillon Gabriel went in round three.

By round four, no quarterbacks were picked.

In round five, the Browns surprised everyone by picking Shedeur Sanders. The Browns already had Deshaun Watson with a big contract and Kenny Pickett on the team.

Shedeur vs. Kenny Pickett:

Shedeur was compared to Kenny Pickett. Pickett was a first-round pick in 2021 but didn’t last long in Pittsburgh. He was criticized for having small hands and left after two seasons.

The Browns picking Shedeur raised questions. Did they want him to compete with Pickett? Or was it just a chance they took?

The Lawsuit and Its Chances:

John Doe’s lawsuit said NFL teams worked together against Sanders. He said the draft was unfair and caused emotional harm.

He also mentioned the Sherman Antitrust Act, saying the draft limits player choices and pay.

There is some history here. In the past, the USFL sued the NFL and partly won. But they were only paid one dollar.

Doe might get even less. But his lawsuit shows how emotional the draft can be. For some, it’s more than a game,it’s personal.

The History Behind the Draft:

The first NFL Draft was in 1936. The first player picked, Jay Berwanger, never played in the NFL. Only 24 of 81 players from that draft joined teams.

Salary limits have been part of the draft since the start. Today, rookies get paid on a fixed scale. First-round picks sign five-year deals. The system controls how much they earn, no matter how good they are.

This is one reason people say the draft is unfair. It controls where players go and how much they make. But courts mostly support the leagues.

A Future Still Ahead:

For Shedeur Sanders, the story isn’t over. Falling to round five was a surprise. But now he has a chance to prove everyone wrong.

Some late-round quarterbacks have become stars. Brock Purdy, picked last in 2022, is now a starter and about to get a big contract.

The NFL draft isn’t always fair or logical. But it’s real. For players like Shedeur Sanders, it’s just the start of a new path.

Conclusion:

Shedeur Sanders falling so far in the NFL Draft shocked many. A player expected in the top 5 waited until round 5. This story even led one man to file a lawsuit. But the draft isn’t always fair, and surprises happen every year. Now, Shedeur has a chance to prove critics wrong and earn his place in the NFL with hard work. The real journey starts now.