Shedeur Sanders , the former Colorado quarterback and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders , faced an unexpected and dramatic tumble down the draft board during the 2025 NFL Draft. After months of being touted as a potential first-round pick, Sanders' name wasn’t called until the fifth round, with the Cleveland Browns selecting him at pick No. 144. This fall from grace not only impacted his draft position but also his financial prospects, leaving fans and analysts questioning what his decision to enter the NFL Draft may have cost him financially.
Shedeur Sanders faces a salary dip in the NFL compared to his record NIL deals at Colorado
The anticipation surrounding Sanders’ draft stock had been building throughout the college football season. Having led Colorado to a strong season under the spotlight of Deion Sanders' coaching, many expected him to be selected among the top picks. However, Sanders' draft journey proved to be unpredictable. His eventual selection at No. 144 was a stark contrast to the lofty expectations set for him, leading many to wonder how much of a financial hit he took by declaring for the NFL Draft early.
The financial implications of being selected so far down the board are not just theoretical. Sanders, who boasted an impressive NIL valuation of $6.5 million during his time at Colorado, now finds himself with a rookie contract valued at just $4.65 million—less than his college endorsement deals. This shift highlights a stark reality in the new world of college football, where NIL deals can provide a lucrative income that might even exceed the value of some early-round NFL contracts.
In today’s college sports landscape, athletes are no longer reliant solely on the potential of their professional careers for financial gain. Through NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, star athletes like Sanders are able to capitalize on their personal brand long before entering the pros. According to On3, Sanders had a NIL valuation of $6.5 million, a number that places him among the top college athletes in terms of earning potential. Had he chosen to stay at Colorado for another season, it’s reasonable to assume that he could have continued to build on this revenue, potentially earning more than he would on his rookie contract with the Browns.
The reality of the situation is clear: Sanders’ NIL earnings far exceeded the value of his NFL rookie contract. With the first overall pick in the NFL Draft potentially bringing in a contract worth $48.75 million, and even the No. 32 pick commanding a $14.65 million deal, Sanders' selection at No. 144 places him in a position where he’ll earn significantly less in his rookie season compared to his college earnings.
Despite the financial setback from his draft position, Sanders isn’t entirely without options. The former college star has a robust network of endorsement deals with major brands such as Gatorade, Nike, and Beats by Dre. These partnerships, coupled with his NIL valuation, give him the potential to earn beyond the typical rookie contract. In fact, it’s likely that his endorsement deals will continue to fuel his income in the early stages of his professional career, even if his NFL contract falls short of expectations.
Furthermore, Sanders’ NFL journey is far from over. While his rookie contract may be worth less than anticipated, Sanders has an opportunity to prove himself on the field. He enters an interesting quarterback room in Cleveland, competing with the likes of Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, and the veteran Deshaun Watson, who is recovering from an Achilles injury. Sanders’ ability to rise above these seasoned quarterbacks could lead to a starting role, and with it, a future that may far exceed the limitations of his rookie contract.
Could He Have Made More by Staying in College?
This all raises a significant question: Could Sanders have earned more by playing another year in college? Given the current state of college sports, where athletes can secure lucrative NIL deals, it’s clear that Sanders could have continued to build his brand and possibly earned more than the $6.5 million from his rookie NFL contract.
However, the decision to leave college early for the NFL is one that many players make with the long-term view of their professional careers in mind. With his father, Deion Sanders, guiding him through these monumental decisions, it’s unlikely that financial concerns played a major role in his decision. Instead, Sanders likely felt that the time was right to make the leap to the pros.
Ultimately, Shedeur Sanders’ draft journey is a reminder of how much the sports world has changed in the era of NIL. College athletes now have the ability to build substantial wealth before stepping foot in a professional league, but that wealth doesn’t always translate directly to the pros. For Sanders, this transition may be financially less rewarding in the short term, but his potential to earn through endorsements and his on-field performance keeps the door wide open for future success.
While his fall to the fifth round may have been surprising, Sanders’ story is far from over. His next steps in the NFL, coupled with his strong brand, will likely keep him in the public eye for years to come.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders hosts lavish celebration with $100K cash and celebrity guests after being drafted by Browns
Shedeur Sanders faces a salary dip in the NFL compared to his record NIL deals at Colorado
The anticipation surrounding Sanders’ draft stock had been building throughout the college football season. Having led Colorado to a strong season under the spotlight of Deion Sanders' coaching, many expected him to be selected among the top picks. However, Sanders' draft journey proved to be unpredictable. His eventual selection at No. 144 was a stark contrast to the lofty expectations set for him, leading many to wonder how much of a financial hit he took by declaring for the NFL Draft early.
With the No. 144 overall pick in the 2025 @NFLDraft, the @Browns select Shedeur Sanders.
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2025
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/59k0n94PXm
The financial implications of being selected so far down the board are not just theoretical. Sanders, who boasted an impressive NIL valuation of $6.5 million during his time at Colorado, now finds himself with a rookie contract valued at just $4.65 million—less than his college endorsement deals. This shift highlights a stark reality in the new world of college football, where NIL deals can provide a lucrative income that might even exceed the value of some early-round NFL contracts.
In today’s college sports landscape, athletes are no longer reliant solely on the potential of their professional careers for financial gain. Through NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, star athletes like Sanders are able to capitalize on their personal brand long before entering the pros. According to On3, Sanders had a NIL valuation of $6.5 million, a number that places him among the top college athletes in terms of earning potential. Had he chosen to stay at Colorado for another season, it’s reasonable to assume that he could have continued to build on this revenue, potentially earning more than he would on his rookie contract with the Browns.
🚨🚨THIS IS INSANE🚨🚨
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 28, 2025
Shedeur Sanders earned 6 million dollars last year at Colorado.
Sanders rookie contact with the Cleveland #Browns is worth a TOTAL of 4.59M over FOUR years… after falling to the 5th round.
6M ONE YEAR >>> 4M OVER FOUR YEARS
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/AN2nTdoVem
The reality of the situation is clear: Sanders’ NIL earnings far exceeded the value of his NFL rookie contract. With the first overall pick in the NFL Draft potentially bringing in a contract worth $48.75 million, and even the No. 32 pick commanding a $14.65 million deal, Sanders' selection at No. 144 places him in a position where he’ll earn significantly less in his rookie season compared to his college earnings.
Despite the financial setback from his draft position, Sanders isn’t entirely without options. The former college star has a robust network of endorsement deals with major brands such as Gatorade, Nike, and Beats by Dre. These partnerships, coupled with his NIL valuation, give him the potential to earn beyond the typical rookie contract. In fact, it’s likely that his endorsement deals will continue to fuel his income in the early stages of his professional career, even if his NFL contract falls short of expectations.
Furthermore, Sanders’ NFL journey is far from over. While his rookie contract may be worth less than anticipated, Sanders has an opportunity to prove himself on the field. He enters an interesting quarterback room in Cleveland, competing with the likes of Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, and the veteran Deshaun Watson, who is recovering from an Achilles injury. Sanders’ ability to rise above these seasoned quarterbacks could lead to a starting role, and with it, a future that may far exceed the limitations of his rookie contract.
Could He Have Made More by Staying in College?
This all raises a significant question: Could Sanders have earned more by playing another year in college? Given the current state of college sports, where athletes can secure lucrative NIL deals, it’s clear that Sanders could have continued to build his brand and possibly earned more than the $6.5 million from his rookie NFL contract.
However, the decision to leave college early for the NFL is one that many players make with the long-term view of their professional careers in mind. With his father, Deion Sanders, guiding him through these monumental decisions, it’s unlikely that financial concerns played a major role in his decision. Instead, Sanders likely felt that the time was right to make the leap to the pros.
Ultimately, Shedeur Sanders’ draft journey is a reminder of how much the sports world has changed in the era of NIL. College athletes now have the ability to build substantial wealth before stepping foot in a professional league, but that wealth doesn’t always translate directly to the pros. For Sanders, this transition may be financially less rewarding in the short term, but his potential to earn through endorsements and his on-field performance keeps the door wide open for future success.
While his fall to the fifth round may have been surprising, Sanders’ story is far from over. His next steps in the NFL, coupled with his strong brand, will likely keep him in the public eye for years to come.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders hosts lavish celebration with $100K cash and celebrity guests after being drafted by Browns
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