Brian Daboll, Giants’ pre-draft trap reportedly infuriated ex-Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sanders

The story before, during and after the 2025 NFL Draft continues to swirl around former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Once projected as a first-round selection, Sanders saw his stock plummet as the draft approached. Reports emerged suggesting the Buffaloes star could endure a significant fall.

They were right.

Sanders slipped all the way to the 144th pick, where he was taken by the Cleveland Browns — a team once projected to select him with the No. 2 overall pick. Browns' GM Andrew Berry called Sanders "mispriced."

"We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft," Berry said. "The acquisition cost was pretty light, and it’s a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot. So I wouldn’t say it’s any more than that. ... I may hesitate to characterize it as a blockbuster — that’s not necessarily how we thought of the transaction — but we are excited to work with him.”

Another team that was previously linked to Sanders was the New York Giants, who originally held the No. 3 pick. According to The Ringer’s Todd McShay, Sanders' pre-draft interview with Giants head coach Brian Daboll didn’t go well.

“Shedeur didn’t have a great interview with Brian Daboll in a private visit,” McShay said last week. “An install package came in. Preparation wasn’t there for it. [He] got called out on it. Didn’t like that. Brian didn’t appreciate him not liking it.”

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The Giants ultimately traded back into the first round and selected Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25 overall.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that Sanders' frustration with the Giants and Daboll was legitimate.

“The Giants one, they give players an install, and there are mistakes intentionally put in the install,” Breer said on 98.5 The Sports Hub. “He didn’t catch them and got called on it, and it didn’t go well after that. … He was pissed that they did that to him.”

Sanders’ lack of preparation and reported character concerns contributed to his fall to the fifth round — costing him millions in the process. Now, beyond repairing his reputation, he enters a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland that includes Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.