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Something fishy is going on here...

We all know the stories of big-name draft day slides like Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson and Will Levis, but it may not be hyperbolic to say what’s happening with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the biggest slide in the history of the NFL Draft.

Sanders was nearly unanimously projected as a first-round pick, most often to either the New Orleans Saints or the Pittsburgh Steelers. After the end of Day 1, only two quarterbacks had been selected—and Sanders wasn’t one of them.

Heading into Day 2 of the draft on Friday night, which included the second and third-round selections, it seemed like a given that Sanders would be one of the first players off the board. The ABC broadcast even featured Sanders in its intro for the night, saying the Colorado quarterback would be selected in the coming hours.

That’s not exactly how things unfolded.

The second round kicked off with quarterback-needy teams like Cleveland, Seattle and Las Vegas all opting to select players at other positions. When New Orleans went on the clock with the No. 9 pick of the second round, it seemed inevitable Sanders would be selected. Instead, the Saints chose another quarterback: Tyler Shough of Louisville.

Shough’s selection over Sanders sent shock waves through the football world, but it initially felt like a fluke that would soon be rectified. 24 more picks came and went in the second round, and Sanders still hadn’t heard his name called.

Sanders’ slide into the third round felt unprecedented. He was nearly unanimously viewed as the second-best quarterback available in this year’s draft. Even Mel Kiper Jr. had Sanders ranked as his No. 1 quarterback ahead of eventual first overall pick Cam Ward. It seemed inevitable that quarterback-needy teams still searching for one would jump at the chance to draft Sanders early in round three.

The third round is where things went from bad to worse. Cleveland, Las Vegas and the New York Jets all held early third-round picks, and Sanders felt like a shoo-in for all three if he fell to them. But once again, all three teams passed.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, picking 83rd overall, seemed like Sanders’ most likely landing spot. After all, Sanders had multiple meetings with Steelers executives that reportedly went well, and he spoke glowingly about his meeting with head coach Mike Tomlin. But when Pittsburgh turned in its pick, the card read Kaleb Johnson, a running back from Iowa.

At that point, it became crystal clear that something bizarre was happening between Sanders and NFL front offices. This was a quarterback widely considered the second-best prospect in the country. Did NFL teams know something about Sanders that the public and media didn’t? Was he being blackballed for his confident and boisterous personality? Both were valid questions swirling around the football world after Pittsburgh passed on him.

Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any weirder, the impossible happened. The next pick where Sanders could have landed was the Raiders at No. 92. Instead, the Raiders traded the pick to Seattle, and the Seahawks selected another quarterback: Jalen Milroe of Alabama.

Four quarterbacks had officially come off the board, and none of them were named Shedeur Sanders. Just as a final stab in the back, the Cleveland Browns selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, bumping the number to five. Eight more picks came and went, including two back-to-back selections by the Raiders, but the second day of the NFL Draft concluded without Sanders’ name being called.

What happened Friday night is inexplicable. There is no possible explanation for why Sanders has fallen to the third day of the draft.

Maybe league executives didn’t like how Sanders conducted himself in the run-up to the draft, opting to sit out both the Shrine Bowl and the NFL Combine. Maybe Sanders said something wrong in an interview and word spread across the league. Maybe teams just don’t believe he can be successful at the next level. No one can be certain.

One thing is clear: something about Shedeur Sanders is scaring off NFL teams in a major way. As festivities conclude in Green Bay, the entire football world will be searching for answers. But for now, much like Sanders over these past two nights, we’ll have to wait.

by RylandScholes
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For weeks, there was buzz that Shedeur Sanders might go as high as a top-three pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Some mocks had him linked to the Giants, the Raiders, even the Saints — all teams rumored to have legit interest. He took meetings, conducted a private workout with New York, and his draft stock seemed steady throughout the process. But when Round 1 wrapped up Thursday night, Shedeur’s name had yet to be called.

Buffs fans might be surprised, but insiders and league scouts had been preparing for this possibility for a while now. With only a few true quarterback-needy teams at the top and a draft class stacked with high-end linemen, the fit didn’t come together. The Steelers were a dark horse team, and many thought they might trade up for Shedeur, but that never materialized.

The way the board played out didn’t do him any favors. Cam Ward went number one overall to the Titans — a pick that had been whispered for weeks. Then, near the end of the first round, the Giants traded back into the mix and took Jaxson Dart at pick 25. New York had hosted Shedeur twice in the last month, and the belief was mutual interest. But when their move came, it was for someone else entirely.

The slide doesn’t change much about Shedeur’s long-term outlook — it just delays the moment. He’ll almost certainly be one of the first names off the board in Round 2, which kicks off Friday evening. Some teams that passed on him earlier might circle back with better value in mind, and his situation could even work out better depending on the landing spot. Teams to look out for include the Browns, Saints, and Steelers.

The wait wasn’t what Buff Nation hoped for, but the opportunity is still coming. Round 2 is up next, and someone’s about to get a franchise quarterback.

by Jacob.Thompson
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What notes and quotes coming out of the Spring Game are most significant for CU's upcoming season? ... Should CU have held off on retiring jerseys No. 2 and No. 12? ... What will the CU haters have to complain about this summer? ... Let's find out ...

Stuart
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The Heisman Trophy winner is headed to Jacksonville

Travis Hunter didn’t have to wait very long to hear his name called in Green Bay on Thursday night, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell just took to the stage to announce that the Colorado superstar and Heisman Trophy winner was picked second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hunter was nearly unanimously mocked to at #2, but this pick wasn’t without its fair share of drama. The Cleveland Browns were the original owners of the second overall pick, but opted to trade back with Jacksonville. To get Hunter, Jacksonville gave up their 2026 first-round pick, along with multiple pick swaps, including their #5 overall pick tonight.

A Colorado player hasn’t been picked in the first round since Nate Solder and Jimmy Smith in 2011, but Hunter has broken that curse. After being picked second overall, Hunter becomes the seventh Buff to be selected within the top ten of the NFL Draft and is tied with FB Bo Matthews (1974) as the highest draft pick ever from a CU player.

The Jaguars, led by first-year head coach Liam Coen, opted to go for the best player available and a generational talent at both wide receiver and cornerback. Jacksonville is a better landing spot for Hunter, as he goes to a team that already has their franchise quarterback locked down in Trevor Lawrence. Owner Shahid Khan is also notoriously player-friendly, so expect him to play both cornerback and receiver for Jacksonville. The kid from West Palm Beach, Florida, is headed home!

Hunter is the first player off the board for Colorado, but he certainly won’t be the last. Shedeur Sanders could hear his name called legitimately any moment now, and we’ll keep you updated here as soon as that happens.

Congrats, Travis! We’ll miss watching you play at Folsom Field, but we know you’ll kick ass in the NFL. Buffs Nation will be cheering you on every Sunday!

by RylandScholes
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Where will Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter end up?

The day has finally come!

The NFL Draft kicks off tonight in Green Bay, and two Colorado Buffaloes will be the center of attention. With Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter finally finding their NFL landing spots later tonight, the folks here at Ralphie Report decided that we would celebrate by creating the best NFL mock draft EVER MADE! (only slightly kidding...)

If you want to listen to the creation of the mock draft in podcast form, you can do so here!

Without further ado, let’s jump into Ralphie Report’s officially 2025 NFL Mock Draft:

1 - Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB — Miami

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The worst-kept secret of the night is that the Titans are going to pick Cam Ward first overall. The brass down in Nashville saw Ward’s stellar 2024 year and The U and have decided that he’s the guy for them. Ward has a great arm and fantastic pocket presence, but we still think that Shedeur Sanders is the best QB available... (This is a Colorado blog after all)

2 - Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, ATH — Colorado

Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images

Here we go! Hunter is the first Buff off the board at pick No. 2, tying Bo Mathews for the highest pick ever to come out of Colorado. After Cleveland locked up elite pass rusher Myles Garrett, the clear move is to pass on Abdul Carter and snag a generational talent like Hunter. Hopefully they’ll let him play on both sides of the football with a ton of drama...

3 - New York Giants: Abdul Carter, ED — Penn State

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Carter, Ward and Hunter are the clear one-two-three picks this year. After that, there’s a pretty significant drop-off. Carter is a generational pass rusher off the edge. He’s big, fast, strong and extremely explosive. After dodging surgery on his injured shoulder during the CFP, he’ll be good to go and plug right into the Giants’ defensive line.

4 - New England Patriots: Will Campbell, T — LSU

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Campbell has been a star with the Tigers, establishing himself as the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft. For New England, picking a top-end guy to protect Drake Maye is pivotal, and Campbell is just that.

5 - Jacksonville Jaguars: Tetairoa McMillan, WR — Arizona

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Here’s a guy that Colorado fans are extremely familiar with. Arizona’s superstar wide receiver has the highest upside of any pass catcher in this year’s draft. He’s 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, extremely fast and physical. He’ll slot right into a pass-heavy Liam Coen offense and thrive.

6 - Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB — Boise State

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Boise is not a state. Sorry, had to get that in there.

Jeanty is by far the best running back available since Saquon Barkley out of Penn State. Just go watch his highlights from this season and you’ll learn all you need to know. Jeanty is absolutely electric and is a threat every single time the ball touches his hands. This is the ultimate Al Davis-style Raiders pick here.

7 - New York Jets: Mason Graham, DI — Michigan

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Graham stood out in 2025 for his mix of physicality and speed in 2024 with the Wolverines. NFL execs and scouts have also been raving about how Graham has knocked it out of the park with his interviews during the draft process. The Jets are in shambles and need help everywhere, so why not pick the best player on the board?

8 - Carolina Panthers: Tyler Warren, TE — Penn State

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Bryce Young needs a lot of help, so they should bring in Warren to beef up the TE room. Warren can do it all. He can block, pass catch, you name it. He’s the highest-ranked TE this year for a reason. He specifically prevails as a pass catcher, which the Panthers need more than anything.

9 - New Orleans Saints: Shedeur Sanders, QB — Colorado

Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images

Colorado’s QB doesn’t have to wait too long, hearing his name called within the top 10 to the New Orleans Saints. The Saints need a QB after Derek Carr’s struggles both on the field and with injuries, so new head coach Kellen Moore brings in the most prolific passer available in this year’s draft to run his West Coast offense.

10 - Chicago Bears: Malaki Starks, S — Georgia

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

The Bears need all the help they can get at safety. With the top safety still on the board in Starks, this selection feels like a no-brainer in our eyes.

11 - San Francisco 49ers: Jahdae Barron, CB — Texas

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The Niners badly need a replacement for Charvarius Ward after he left for Indy in free agency, so bringing in Barron, the consensus top cornerback in this year’s draft, makes a ton of sense. Bolstering up your roster with the best player available seems like a John Lynch move.

12 - Dallas Cowboys: Luther Burden III, WR — Mizzou

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Burden’s draft stock has taken a hit in recent months, but we predict that Jerry Jones is looking to make a major splash at a skill position. With Hunter, McMillan and Jeanty off the board, we expect that pick will be the Mizzou receiver.

13 - Miami Dolphins: Armand Membou, T — Mizzou

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Screw it, we are going with the two Mizzou guys back-to-back. Tua needs more protection up front, and Membou is the highest graded offensive lineman still available. Feels like a match made in heaven.

14 - Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE — Michigan

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We have a Colts fan on staff (cough cough, Jacob) who is very adamant that he wants his team to take Loveland. Anthony Richardson has one more year to prove that he can be a starter in the league, and bringing him some help via a top TE surely increases his odds of success.

15 - Atlanta Falcons: Jihaad Campbell, LB — Alabama

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The Falcons need help at linebacker and they’ve miraculously stumbled upon the top-ranked SEC prospect at pick No. 15. Don’t mess this up, Terry Fontenot.

16 - Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB — Michigan

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Cardinals have needed help in the secondary for multiple years now, so snagging a prospect as coveted as Will Johnson feels right for an Arizona team looking to finally break through to the playoffs with Kyler Murray.

17 - Cincinnati Bengals: Kelvin Banks, T — Texas

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Banks sliding to 17 is admittedly a bit of a reach, but just roll with it. The Bengals have needed help up front since their Super Bowl run in 2021, and Banks is an absolute steal here. If the Bengals can pull this off, this might be the best pick of the night.

18 - Seattle Seahawks: Mike Green, ED — Marshall

Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Green is this year’s mid-major guy who skyrocketed up the board after a stellar performance at the Senior Bowl and Combine. He’s a freak athlete, and we like his fit within Mike Macdonald’s defense.

19 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, ED — Boston College

Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Tampa’s pass rush has been Vita Vea and no one else for too long now, so why not bring in the shifty end of Boston College to add a little speed and versatility to things?

20 - Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB — North Carolina

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

There are only two RBs who are even remotely close to being first-round caliber. Jeanty is one, and Hampton is the other. Sean Payton needs to revamp the RB core after Javonte Williams lost his speed due to a knee injury and left for Dallas. Hampton is just what the Broncos need.

21 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Milroe, QB — Alabama

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This is our first and only crazy reach of this mock draft. Mike Tomlin is assembling an Avengers-like roster full of freak athletes, and Milroe fits that mold perfectly.

22 - Los Angeles Chargers: Mathew Golden, WR — Texas

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After last year’s playoffs, it’s clear that Justin Herbert needs help, and Ladd McConkey can’t do it all. The Chargers need to bring in a receiver like Golden to give their star QB more options.

23 - Green Bay Packers: Emeka Egbuka, WR — Ohio State

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

For the last decade, drafting an Ohio State wide receiver has been a cheat code for guaranteed success. Green Bay needs receivers badly, and Egbuka would be a solid #2 option behind Christian Watson.

24 - Minnesota Vikings: Walter Nolan, DI — Ole Miss

Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Nolen was our guy that we had slip fairly far in this mock. If you let Kwesi Adofo-Mensah get his hands on a prospect with as much upside as Nolen, the NFC North might be in serious trouble.

25 - Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, T — Ohio State

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What Houston really needs is help at receiver, but all the first-round caliber guys are now off the board. Because of that, we have Houston bringing in an Ohio State guy to pass-block for another Ohio State legend. It just makes too much sense not to mock.

26 - Los Angeles Rams: Kenneth Grant, DI — Michigan

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Grant is a bad, bad man and is a key reason as to why the Wolverines escaped the Horseshoe with a win over eventual national champion Ohio State this year. I like him going to a Rams team that’s looking to rebuild their pass rush after Aaron Donald’s retirement.

27 - Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Jr., ED — Tennessee

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Baltimore’s offense is set with Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson and their plethora of receiving options. They need to go defense, and Pearce is the best player available who can slide right in and start immediately.


28 - Detroit Lions: Benjamin Morrison, CB — Notre Dame

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Morrison was the best player on an absolutely stacked Notre Dame defense, which should tell you all you need to know. The Lions need help in the secondary, and Morrison is a very Dan Lanning-esque pick. Just pick the raw talent and figure out the rest later.

29 - Washington Commanders: Grey Zabel, T — North Dakota State

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Washington is in a great place going forward with Jayden Daniels leading the way, but they could use some help protecting their new franchise QB. The huge, cornfed dude out of North Dakota oughta do the trick.

30 - Buffalo Bills: Nic Scourton, ED — Texas A&M

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Scourton is your prime example of a Texas A&M guy who terrorized offenses in college but people doubt his ability to do the same in the league. With the Bills in need of a replacement for Von Miller, picking another Aggie to fill his role makes too much sense.

31 - Kansas City Chiefs: Jalon Walker, LB — Georgia

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To be entirely honest, I’m not super sure how Walker got this low, but oh well. This guy is a beast. If Kansas City gets him, it has the potential to revamp their entire defense.

32 - Philadelphia Eagles: Shemar Stewart, ED — Texas A&M

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Howie Roseman is looking for a defensive player that can slide onto your roster, play and make an impact immediately, which is exactly what Stewart is.

by RylandScholes
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