Shedeur Sanders reportedly struggled in pre-draft interviews with NFL teams, according to multiple sources. The Colorado quarterback’s poor performance with New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll has emerged as the most notable example.
The Giants were among several teams that came away unimpressed with Sanders’ interview approach.
Sources indicate Sanders acted like he was being recruited rather than interviewed for a professional position. Other quarterback prospects made significantly better impressions during the same process.
“…credible sources have explained the perception that Shedeur was behaving as if he was being recruited, not interviewed. With other quarterbacks creating a much different impression, Shedeur’s draft stock suffered relative to his competition,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote.
The Cleveland Browns valued Dillon Gabriel higher than Sanders throughout their draft preparation.
Cleveland’s front office would have selected Gabriel with the second overall pick if he measured six-foot-three instead of under six feet. Sanders eventually landed with the Browns after falling to the fifth round.
Las Vegas Raiders also passed on Sanders despite having connections through Tom Brady. The team’s decision gained attention after Maxx Crosby publicly endorsed Geno Smith over Coach Prime’s son.
Sanders’ attitude didn’t resonate with Las Vegas decision-makers.
Even Brady’s relationship with Sanders couldn’t secure the quarterback’s selection in the first five rounds by the Raiders.
The 22-year-old quarterback now faces the challenge of changing perceptions at the professional level. Sanders threw for 4,134 yards and 35 touchdowns in his final college season at Colorado.
Professional football offers opportunities for players to rewrite their narratives through performance and improved preparation.
