NFL Draft smokescreen season stinks, because you never know if an anonymous scout or front office member is trying to use quotes to manipulate where a player goes. But there have been multiple quotes about Sanders coming off badly in interviews with teams. That could have downgraded him a few rounds.

Sanders, who was largely projected a first-round pick in the days leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, is staying positive despite his continued wait. After two quarterbacks were taken in the first round (Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart), three more quarterbacks (Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe and Dillon Gabriel) were taken on Day 2.