One of the biggest storylines in the 2025 NFL Draft was the stunning slide of Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Heading into the draft, he was slated to be a fringe first-round pick. Many analysts believed that if he wasn’t taken in the first round, he would easily be selected in the second. He fell all the way to the fifth round, being picked 144th overall. One Colorado fan was not happy and is suing the NFL because of the situation.
Fan Sues NFL Over Shedeur Sanders Draft Freefall
MSNBC’s Jordan Rubin reports that the anonymous plaintiff is suing the NFL for “emotional distress and trauma” that he suffered while watching Shedeur Sanders fall in the NFL Draft. The Georgia resident is described as a “dedicated fan of Colorado football” and clearly thought the reports that came out about Sanders’ character before the draft were unfair. The plaintiff is seeking $100 million in damages, but also wants the league to do the following:
‘“formal acknowledgment from the NFL regarding the emotional distress caused by their actions and statements,” a “retraction of the slanderous statements made about Shedeur Sanders, along with an apology for any harm caused to his reputation” and implementation of “fairer practices in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit.”’
The fall certainly was shocking, and this fan is not the only one who was shocked and appalled. ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. went viral for his rants throughout the weekend on teams passing on the Colorado quarterback. Others expressed similar sentiments about the fall. Regardless, Sanders now finds himself in a battle for a starting job in Cleveland.
Will Sanders Start?
There is a decent chance Shedeur Sanders can win the starting job. While it won’t be easy, there isn’t an established starter in the building. Joe Flacco is way past his prime. Kenny Pickett is on his third team in three years, and Deshaun Watson is coming off an Achilles injury. The biggest competition might be fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. If Sanders is as good as the plaintiff believes, he should have no problem proving the doubters wrong.
Final Thoughts
It will be interesting to hear how this one ends. From a football perspective, it would be awesome to see the quarterback rise above all the noise and lead the Cleveland Browns to a winning record.
