Reports are surfacing about factors that may have contributed to quarterback Shedeur Sanders not being selected until the fifth round of the recent NFL draft. Concerns reportedly include his performance in pre-draft interviews and meetings with teams.
College football analyst Ross Tucker shared a story on the Dan Patrick Show regarding Sanders skipping a planned production meeting last season. Tucker stated it was unusual for a starting, high-profile player to miss such a meeting.
Ross Tucker revealed on “The Dan Patrick Show” recounted the experience, noting that he later saw Sanders in the back of a pickup truck near the hotel after the missed meeting.
Tucker stated that NFL personnel asked him for his impression of Sanders after the game, but he could only report that he did not get to speak with him. He wondered if there were other instances where Sanders acted outside traditional player conduct expectations.
Reports citing anonymous sources made claims about Sanders' formal interviews with NFL teams. These accounts described the interviews negatively.
One report from an anonymous source cited by NFL Network called an interview the "worst formal interview" they had experienced. Claims were made that Sanders appeared entitled, took unnecessary sacks, did not play on time, displayed poor body language, and blamed teammates. The source also stated Sanders was "not that good."
Another anonymous report cited by an AFC executive described an interview as not going well, claiming Sanders sought to dictate terms and made the interviewer feel small.
NFL teams evaluate players on various factors beyond athletic ability, including their conduct in meetings and interview settings. This comprehensive assessment is part of determining a player's suitability for a team environment, a process faced by all prospects, including past players like Shawne Merriman during their pre-draft evaluations.
Sanders, a highly visible player, had his jersey retired by Colorado during a spring game ceremony on April 19, 2025.
The combination of these reported behaviors and interview perceptions may have influenced team evaluations and contributed to his eventual draft position.
