NFL

2025 NFL Draft: What happens if Shedeur Sanders goes undrafted?

With the 2025 NFL Draft unfolding, one of the most intriguing questions is what happens if Shedeur Sanders, a highly anticipated quarterback prospect, goes undrafted. Despite being projected as a potential first-round pick by many experts, Sanders' name might not be called.

Shedeur Sanders as quarterback of Colorado
© Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesShedeur Sanders as quarterback of Colorado

Shedeur Sanders was projected by many experts as a first-round quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft who was of interest to several teams, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Giants, and the New Orleans Saints. Despite this, no one has selected him.

So, if the prospect of Colorado goes undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, it would mark an unexpected turn for a player with such high expectations following a standout college career.

Although being drafted is the most common route for players coming out of college, that doesn’t mean Sanders’ chances of making it to the NFL would be over. He could even end up signing for a Super Bowl contender as a backup.

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What happens if Shedeur Sanders is undrafted?

In the event that Shedeur Sanders goes undrafted, he would become an unrestricted free agent, which opens up different possibilities for his future. An undrafted player has the flexibility to sign with any team that offers him a contract, which could include a mix of offers from teams seeking to develop a young quarterback or looking for a potential backup. He would control his destiny, but the big question is which team will go after him after what happened in the 2025 Draft.

As an unrestricted free agent, Sanders would have the freedom to negotiate with any NFL team, unlike a player drafted in the later rounds, who would be tied to the team that selects them. As it’s been mentioned, this means more freedom to choose a team.

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An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract has expired or, in Sanders’ case, one who wasn’t drafted and thus isn’t bound by the draft rules. Unlike restricted free agents, UFAs are not bound by any compensatory or matching requirements. This gives the player more negotiating power since any team can sign them without having to give up any draft picks or compensation to their previous team. If Sanders were to go undrafted, this status would mean he could join any team with the best offer or the most promising future. A shocking turn of events.

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