Prior to the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders was projected to be a first-round pick. However, he unexpectedly fell to the fifth round, prompting a Colorado Buffaloes fan to file a lawsuit against the league over his dramatic slide.
It’s rare to see such a significant oversight from NFL scouts regarding top prospects. Their role is to closely evaluate and grade players to help teams make informed decisions about their future.
In Sanders’ case, the error appears glaring. He was widely ranked as the second-best quarterback prospect, yet no team followed those evaluations, and he wasn’t selected until the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Fan files lawsuit against the NFL after Shedeur Sanders’ 2025 NFL Draft snub
The 2025 NFL Draft brought plenty of surprises. One of the most anticipated storylines centered around Shedeur Sanders, as speculation swirled over which team would ultimately select him.
Just hours before the draft, a report suggested Sanders might not be chosen in the first round. That projection became reality, as all 32 initial picks passed on the quarterback during the opening round.
As the draft continued, Sanders remained on the board, with no team stepping up to take him. It wasn’t until Day 3 that the Cleveland Browns used the 144th overall pick to select the former Colorado star.
His unexpected fall shocked many fans. But for one supporter, the disappointment was so profound that he decided to take legal action against the league over what he believes was an unjust outcome.
According to a filing obtained by USA TODAY, a man referred to as John Doe filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming that “the NFL’s actions and the dissemination of slanderous statements have caused severe emotional distress and trauma.”
Doe is seeking $100 million in damages related to Sanders’ fall to the fifth round. He alleges that negative reports about Sanders’ performance in pre-draft interviews “contributed to a narrative that has unjustly harmed his reputation and potential as a player.”
Why did Shedeur Sanders drop to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft?
According to scouts, Shedeur Sanders is an incredibly talented player. As a dual-threat quarterback, his combination of passing ability and mobility makes him a valuable asset to any offense.
However, reports suggest that his interviews with teams did not go well, which led many clubs to believe he wasn’t worthy of a first-round selection. Despite this, the Cleveland Browns decided to take a chance on him, and Sanders is now determined to prove his critics wrong.
SURVEY Is Shedeur Sanders really a fifth-round pick?
Is Shedeur Sanders really a fifth-round pick?
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