Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Slide: A Lesson in Leadership and Leverage

By Scott King

Twitter/X: NFLFantasy_More

The 2025 NFL Draft will be remembered for many things, but perhaps no storyline captivated the football world more than the dramatic fall of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Once projected as a top-five pick, Sanders endured a humbling slide, eventually being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round at pick 144. As the author of the leadership book Don’t Waste My Time, I’ve spent years studying what it takes to navigate high-stakes environments. Sanders’ draft experience offers a masterclass in the perils of misreading leverage, overplaying confidence, and underestimating the importance of the interview process.

The Draft as an Interview: Power Dynamics at Play

The NFL draft process is, at its core, a series of interviews. Teams probe prospects with questions about their skills, character, and football IQ, seeking to understand who they’re inviting into their organizations. For quarterbacks like Sanders, these interactions are magnified, as teams entrust them with leadership roles that can define a franchise’s future. Unlike a traditional job interview, however, prospects have little room to negotiate. The power lies firmly with the teams, who hold the ability to draft, pass, or shape a player’s career trajectory.

Sanders, guided by his father, Deion Sanders, and without a traditional agent, approached the process as if he held the upper hand. Reports surfaced of Sanders being unprepared for critical playbook installations, opting instead to question teams about their plans to support him. One league source recounted a top-seven team asking Sanders to study their playbook for an interview, only for him to arrive unprepared and shift the focus to interviewing the team’s leadership. This approach, as noted by FOX Sports, was perceived as presumptuous and a fatal misstep.

In Don’t Waste My Time, I emphasize that effective leadership begins with understanding who holds the leverage in any interaction. Sanders’ draft strategy suggests a misunderstanding of this principle. By treating team interviews as opportunities to dictate terms or showcase bravado, he alienated evaluators who expected humility and preparation. The draft isn’t a negotiation where a prospect can set conditions—it’s an evaluation where teams decide who fits their vision. Sanders’ failure to grasp this dynamic cost him dearly.

Confidence vs. Arrogance: A Fine Line

Sanders’ confidence is undeniable. As the son of “Prime Time” Deion Sanders, he carries himself with a swagger that’s both a product of his upbringing and a reflection of his on-field success. At Colorado, he threw for a school-record 37 touchdowns and 4,134 yards, showcasing an accurate arm and pocket toughness. His Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals likely outpaced what he’ll earn on his rookie contract, further fueling his self-assured persona.

But confidence, when unchecked, can cross into arrogance—a trait that NFL teams scrutinize closely. Anonymous coaches and executives painted a damning picture of Sanders’ pre-draft behavior. One assistant coach called his combine interview “the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in,” citing entitlement, poor body language, and a tendency to blame teammates. Another executive described Sanders as “brash” and accused him of making others “feel small.” These critiques suggest Sanders’ confidence was perceived as dismissive, alienating teams who value coachability and self-awareness in their quarterbacks.

In Don’t Waste My Time, I argue that leadership hinges on authenticity tempered with humility. Sanders’ approach—doubling down on his persona rather than adapting to the NFL’s expectations—reinforced a caricature of entitlement. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with one user noting, “Ego, entitlement, character, and lack of leadership cost Shedeur Sanders big-time in the NFL draft.” While confidence can inspire teammates, arrogance can fracture locker rooms, and Sanders’ draft slide underscores the importance of striking the right balance.

A Lesson Learned, A Path Forward

Sanders’ fall wasn’t just about his interviews or perceived attitude. Some evaluators questioned his on-field fit, pointing to his tendency to take unnecessary sacks and a good-not-great arm. Others noted his decision to skip the Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine, and all-star games, missing chances to showcase his skills and counter negative perceptions. These choices, coupled with his father’s public insistence on an “Eli Manning-like” draft strategy—where Sanders would only play for certain teams—further complicated his narrative.

Yet, Sanders’ story is far from over. His selection by the Browns offers a fresh start, and his talent remains undeniable. As I write in Don’t Waste My Time, setbacks are opportunities to recalibrate and grow. Sanders now has a chip on his shoulder and a chance to prove doubters wrong. If he can channel his confidence into leadership, embrace coaching, and adapt to the NFL’s demands, he could still fulfill his potential.

For young athletes watching, Sanders’ draft slide is a cautionary tale. The NFL draft is a high-stakes interview where preparation, humility, and self-awareness are as critical as talent. Misjudge the power dynamics, and the consequences can be costly. As Sanders embarks on his NFL journey, he carries a hard-earned lesson: in the game of leverage, knowing who holds the cards is the first step to winning.