At the start of 2025, few could have imagined Shedeur Sanders slipping deep into the NFL Draft. Once the favorite to be selected first overall, Sanders’ name was atop mock drafts for much of the 2024-25 college football season.
However, former NFL tight end Delanie Walker had a much different vision – and he wasn’t shy about it.
Appearing on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast in January, Walker boldly predicted Sanders would not only fall outside the first round but slide all the way to the fifth. At the time, the claim seemed outrageous. Even co-host Will Compton bet $1,000 that Sanders would go within the first two rounds.
Confident in his view, Walker shook on the bet twice, standing firm against a room full of skeptics.
Sanders’ slide shocks the NFL world
As the draft neared, cracks in Sanders’ once-bulletproof stock began to show. On January 8, Cam Ward officially surpassed him as the projected top pick, yet few believed Sanders would fall too far. Teams desperate for quarterbacks, such as the Giants, Saints, and Steelers, were all linked to Sanders leading up to draft night.
However, the Giants traded up late in the first round to select Jaxson Dart, the Saints opted for Tyler Shough in the second, and the Steelers waited until the sixth round to grab Will Howard – choosing to wait out Aaron Rodgers’ pending free agency instead.
The unexpected drop continued until the Cleveland Browns finally selected Sanders at No. 144 overall, deep into the fifth round. Against all odds – and public opinion – Walker‘s January prediction had come true.
Now, Sanders enters the NFL with a chip on his shoulder and a fanbase eager to see if he can turn this draft night disappointment into long-term success. For Walker, the foresight earned him more than just $1,000 – it won him bragging rights few others can claim.
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