Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. A few national analysts like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt furiously defended Sanders, claiming the NFL was simply making an example out of him due to his famous father,

The former NFL tight end, who went to three Pro Bowls during his 14-year career, predicted back in JANUARY that Sanders would fall to the fifth round. The prediction came during an episode of the "Bussin' with the Boys" podcast where he also made a $1,000 bet with co-host Will Compton about where Sanders would fall in the draft.

Shedeur Sanders ended up a fifth round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2025 NFL draft after spending a good deal of time being discussed like he was a potential top five pick. He wasn't even the first quarterback the Browns took in the draft.