Watching Shedeur Sanders slide down the first round Thursday night felt like a gut punch.
But when you step back and look at the bigger picture, it honestly shouldn’t come as a total shock.
This just wasn’t a year where teams were desperate to reach for a quarterback. Most front offices have their guy for now— or they’re looking ahead to next year's stacked class, with guys available like Arch Manning, Carson Beck, Nico Iamaleava, and Drew Allar.
Really, if we're being fair, only two teams genuinely passed on Shedeur: the Steelers and Giants.
Tennessee knew they were going to get Cam Ward, but Giants fans could’ve had Shedeur and Abdul Carter in a dream first round. Instead... they did what the Giants do. And Pittsburgh ended up taking Oregon DT Derrick Harmon, which some insiders said Pittsburgh was torn on taking him or Shedeur Sanders.
But don't worry Buffs fans, Shedeur's phone is going to ring early on Day 2. Even teams who didn’t need a QB last night — but know they are set for the future — are licking their chops right now.
Just look at Jalen Hurts. He slid into the second round back in 2020, and all he did was turn it into a blessing and joined a stacked Eagles team, leading them to a Super Bowl win and an MVP this year.
Sometimes sliding in the draft means landing in a better spot, with better teammates, better coaching, and a real shot at greatness.