Built to Break: The Rise, Fall, and Media Obsession with Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders didn’t fall in the NFL Draft. He was pushed by the weight of headlines, highlight clips, and the 24/7 sports machine that decided long ago he would be a star, whether the league agreed or not. When Sanders’ name was finally called in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns, it was less of a celebration and more of a release for him, the networks, and fans who had watched his draft night become an ongoing drama. But that drama didn’t end with the pick. If anything, it was just beginning.

The Illusion of Momentum

For weeks leading into the draft, Shedeur Sanders dominated conversations. Draft shows, social media, and studio segments all painted him as a potential first-rounder, maybe even a surprise early selection. His last name brought expectations. His game brought debate. What didn’t match were the evaluations from people inside league circles. While the TV graphics lit up with percentages and predictions, teams were more cautious. Scouts questioned his pocket awareness. Coaches noted the inconsistent tape. And yet, the public story kept building, a narrative based more on clicks than context.

By the time the second round began, the coverage had shifted from hype to hysteria. Cameras fixated on Sanders’ draft party. Analysts spiraled into speculation. Each team that passed became a storyline. But here’s the thing: he didn’t “drop.” He landed exactly where many inside the league expected. The real shock was how far the media ran with a script no one inside the NFL wrote.

A Fifth-Round Pick, A First-Round Headline

Now, in Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders is getting more media attention than any rookie in the building. Short completions in the rookie minicamp are going viral. Practice reps against no defenders are getting dissected like playoff film. He throws a simple out route, and it’s front-page news. It’s the kind of coverage usually reserved for Heisman winners or No. 1 picks. But this isn’t about talent. It’s about timing, name recognition, and the modern media cycle’s need for a central character. For better or worse, Sanders is that character.

None of this is his fault. Sanders is a confident, capable quarterback with real upside — but also real areas to grow. He showed toughness and skill at Colorado, but also struggled under pressure and held onto the ball too long. That’s not uncommon for a young quarterback. The problem isn’t Sanders. The problem is the system around him — the rush to label him a star or a bust before he’s taken a meaningful NFL snap. The same media that inflated his stock pre-draft is now treating him like a disappointment, then pivoting to cover him like he’s the next Mahomes. It’s chaotic, and it’s unfair.

The NFL is a league built on development. Some players need time. Some don’t. Sanders may grow into a starter. He may not. But he deserves the chance to try without being turned into a headline every time he touches the ball in a May practice. The truth? There were more shocking picks than Shedeur Sanders. There were bigger steals. There were bigger reaches. But none of those players carried a name that sells like his does.

The Real Story Isn’t His Draft Spot — It’s Ours

Sanders didn’t fall short of expectations. The expectations were never realistic to begin with. They were built for entertainment, not accuracy. And when he didn’t match the hype, the story shifted to “What went wrong?”,  not with him, but with our coverage. Maybe it’s time to admit this isn’t just about football anymore. It’s about attention. Shedeur Sanders was the No. 1 pick in that game, whether he asked for it or not.