NFL Draft: Broncos’ Sean Payton issues warning about Shedeur Sanders

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton didn’t need a quarterback to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.

Bo Nix, the team’s first round draft choice for 2024, showed big promise as a rookie and led Denver to the tough AFC West division playoffs.

But that didn’t mean that Payton wasn’t valuing the quarterbacks available in this year’s draft class. Especially Shedale Sanders, who has gone on the Boulder path for the Colorado Buffaloes in the past two seasons.

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Sanders took over the storyline of the NFL Draft. He slipped into the fifth round before the Cleveland Browns finally took him with 144 picks. With the draft committee unexpectedly falling, Payton warned the NFL team about a prospect he really knew well.

“I saw it [Shedeur] When he was in middle school, and when I saw him in high school, and when he was on his way to Florida, he was in his second year in high school,” Payton said. via ESPN. “Please be careful as this guy plays in this league, just like he has this chip on his shoulder.”

Payton was one of many coaches who attended Colorado’s Pro Day.

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Payton was very impressed with what Sanders put out on the training field.

“We sat there and I saw him throw right behind him… “I’m sure we’re all surprised, but still talented – if you’re a team that needs a quarterback, it’s a holy cow.”

Currently, Payton and Elder Sanders have a strong relationship. This was featured on the latter Instagram when they posted a photo of the two Pro Day together with smiles.

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Chedure Sanders (2) celebrates after beating the Arizona state Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium, home to the ASU Sun Devils. (Mark J. Rebilas-Usa Today Sports)

However, Payton was not only surprised because he knew Sanders’ family well. Many others couldn’t believe he slid that way. Browns GM Andrew Berry admitted they took him along as he was the best prospect available in the “most important position.”

“That’s amazing. We appreciated him,” Elliot Wolf, vice president of players for the New England Patriots, said via ESPN from the second day onwards. “I had the opportunity to see him play against Oklahoma State this year… It was fun to see him still available. I’m sure he’ll be worthy of him tomorrow.”

Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys who knows Deion Sanders very well, was given time with the organization and added: [Shedeur]. So, as far as I know, I know where the characters are, and boy, it’s a great character. It’s an incredibly competitive winning character for sports. got it? And I can tell you that. ”

Chedur Sanders admitted that this was “not a plan,” taking into account the first round performance that many people gave him in particular. And while no one would give a pinpoint answer as to why he slipped down the draft board, there have been bad meetings in the pre-draft process with multiple teams, and reports have come up that they were probably factors.

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will stroll through the tunnel before a match against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. (Image from Stephen Lew-Immagn)

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Either way, Sanders celebrated at his Texas home when the Browns finally pulled his name out of the draft pool. He is ready to go to work in the busy quarterback room where Cleveland has acquired Saunders’ third round, Joe Flaco, Kenny Pickett and Desshaun Watson, fellow draft tee Dilongabriel, but his 2025 status is in the air due to injuries.

“The time we spent with Chedur and what he did throughout his college career is impressive,” Berry said. “He’s an impressive young man. He’s a really good quarterback.”

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