In the 2025 NFL Draft, the unexpected rejection of Shedeur Sanders in the draft sent the media into a frenzy. Fans were super active on social media, hating or supporting the young QB as gurus shared their hot takes, putting the media in a buzz.
Prior to the Draft, Shedeur had received all the necessary nods from owners and the GMs, indicating that he would not slip past the top 10 picks.
This got Shedeur Sanders’ spirit high, with hopes of an early selection. That, plus his impeccable football performance, had mock drafts projecting him to be picked in the top 10 if not the top 5.
Unfortunately, we didn’t hear his name in the first, second, third, or even the fourth round. The atmosphere got intense as people kept waiting. The Colorado quarterback’s anxiousness was pretty evident on his face as he plummeted all the way down to the fifth round.
This major drop not only cost him a mental breakdown through the first two days but also dropped his value by at least $50 million.
While it may have felt unfair to people who expected an early pick for Sanders, the long wait had some positive impact, though not for Sanders. From the NFL media and marketing perspective, this was a golden goose.
How Shedeur’s Draft Day Drama Boosted NFL TV Ratings
As the first few rounds went by with no team calling out Shedeur’s name, public curiosity surged. To get the most out of it, the media made Sanders a focal point of their coverage.
For instance, ESPN featured a stylized empty draft room set up for Sanders. This left everyone wondering when the legendary quarterback would show up in the picks. This public curiosity fueled a notable surge in media viewership.
Meanwhile, analysts kept the numbers soaring. Mel Kiper Jr. kept stirring the Sanders pot with his unending praises for the young QB, keeping the viewers hooked with his takes. He drew comparisons to other quarterbacks and criticized teams for dropping Sanders off their draft board.
NFL media clocked an 11% rise in round one viewership compared to 2024. By Day 2 and 3, more eyes couldn’t help the urge to turn into NFL media stations. An average of 7.3 million viewers showed up, marking a 40% increase from the previous year, becoming the second most-watched draft in history. This ranked as the highest Day 2 Draft viewership ever after 2020.
To put things in perspective, Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft averaged 8.2 million viewers across all platforms, recording the highest-viewed Day 2 ever, which was the result of the early days of the pandemic.
Also Read: 14 NIL Deals Signed By Shedeur Sanders During His Elaborate College Career
Shedeur Sanders Drafted by the Cleveland Browns at No. 144
After being snubbed by many teams for four rounds, Shedeur got his chance in the fifth. Cleveland Browns stopped the legendary quarterback’s free fall through the Draft ranks, picking him with the 6th pick in the fifth round. This got him the 144th overall position.
Excited with his pick, Shedeur Sanders took to his X and posted, “Thank you God.” Responding to the post, one fan commented, “They all gonna be big mad when they watch you walk away with that Super Bowl ring.”
KFC wasn’t left behind in celebrating Sanders. While showing the essence of patience, KFC replied, “The Colonel was rejected 1,009 times before finally landing our famous original recipe. Sometimes all a Sanders needs is a little time to cook. Congrats Shedeur!!”
Although picked late in the Draft, one thing was clear. Sanders is already a prime-time personality, with the support of both fans and analysts. He’s truly making a name for himself, as he has been with his family.
The Sanders Effect: A Media Powerhouse Driving Ratings and Revenue
From his dad, the Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders, to his brother Shilo, the Sanders family has kept delivering to the fans for decades. This family is never short of wonderful moments that give a certain level of aura. Whether positive or negative, their trends always send the football world into a frenzy!
And when we thought Shedeur was failing in the Draft, he was actually growing his fame. Even better, he was discreetly helping media houses make a killing from the unimaginable trends as everybody sought a glimpse of the quarterback’s selection.
Not to mention how the Sanders clan made a bigger impact on the Boulder economy during their 2023 and 2024 season. Hotels and restaurants received more clients during game weekends as people rushed to catch the event. Similarly, tickets at Folsom fields sold out as Shedeur Sanders’ jersey and the Buffs’ merchandise flow off shelves.
As a result, they contributed to a revenue boost of an estimated $146.5 million. The revenue was distributed across the Boulder region’s services, like:
- Merchandise sales
- Retail sales
- Hotel and accommodation services
- Transportation services
And although his NFL Draft wasn’t what people had expected, his prominence as a leading quarterback played a big part in driving attention from fans. Do you think Shedeur Sanders deserved an early pick during this year’s NFL Draft?
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders’ Luxury Car Collection Is a Nod To His $6.5 Million NIL Success