Teams linked to Sanders including the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints passed on him in the late first and early second rounds, respectively, in favor of Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough. The Tennessee Titans also selected Cam Ward with the top overall pick.

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft came and went Thursday, and arguably the biggest name of the entire pre-draft process was not called: Shedeur Sanders. Despite crowning himself the best quarterback in the class,