Colorado's Shedeur Sanders facing unbelievable NFL Draft fate after first-round nightmare slide

Shedeur Sanders was in the running to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

For most of the college football season, the Colorado QB was considered neck-and-neck with Miami's Cam Ward for QB1 honors.

They weren't even a guaranteed No. 1, either, given the presence of Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter.

But somehow, Sanders' slid far away from the top quarterback spot.

On Thursday night, it all came to a head when his slide took him out of the first round entirely.

There's plenty of speculation out there about Sanders' draft slide, but the reasons aren't even really the point.

SN's NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Top 250 big board

It's just amazing that the slide happened at all.

Sanders is Mel Kiper Jr.'s No. 1 QB prospect in this draft. Kiper harps on how Sanders did everything for Colorado despite a weak running game and a weak offensive line.

Maybe peak arm strength is a question, but ESPN's Louis Riddick pointed out that Sanders makes all the throws, and that's what matters.

Sanders could go immediately on Day 2, or he could have to wait around a little longer.

A draft-night slide doesn't ruin NFL careers.

Aaron Rodgers famously slid from contention for the No. 1 pick all the way to No. 24. At least that was still the first round.

Sanders probably didn't plan on going to sleep Thursday night without a team, but that's what he'll have to do.

And then his family will have to ready themselves again on Friday, when Sanders will surely hear his name called eventually. Then it'll be up to him to prove the doubters wrong after his immense draft slide.

MORE NFL DRAFT:

• Browns' Travis Hunter trade mistake could be a generational error
• Steelers' Aaron Rodgers pursuit down to 2 outcomes after Shedeur Sanders choice
• Giants trade back in to first round to get Jaxson Dart
• Giants' Abdul Carter comparison to Micah Parsons makes sense for 3 reasons
• Panthers commit to Bryce Young with Tetairoa McMillan pick
• Browns draft Michigan star instead of Hunter
• Bears fail at Ashton Jeanty pursuit as Raiders draft next star RB
• Jets make unexciting pick at No. 7 instead of Tyler Warren
• Saints' Aaron Rodgers pursuit still alive after QB decision
• Bears just drafted Ben Johnson's new Sam LaPorta
• Cowboys draft pick Tyler Booker so excited, gives Roger Goodell huge bear hug
• Colts' Tyler Warren is biggest steal of NFL Draft first round
• Falcons' Jalon Walker draws comparison to Super Bowl hero
• Bengals draft Trey Hendrickson replacement with riskiest pick of first round
• Meet Grey Zabel, Seahawks new offensive lineman from NDSU
• Buccaneers draft Chris Godwin replacement in Emeka Egbuka
• Chargers' Najee Harris signing complicates Omarion Hampton draft pick
• Packers end crazy WR first-round drought with Matthew Golden pick
• Falcons trade insane price to move up for James Pearce
• Ravens get 'dream pick' in massive steal
• Lions, Browns pick wrong sides of Ohio State-Michigan rivalry in NFL Draft
• Bills get fastest 40-yard dash in NFL Draft
• Eagles make key trade to get star linebacker
• Chiefs trade down to get Ohio State national champion