Where There’s Smoke: Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Day Slide and the Laremy Tunsil Parallel

The NFL Draft has always been a rollercoaster of emotions for players, families, and fans alike. No matter how much preparation goes into evaluating talent, the human element of perception and rumor can still shift a player’s entire future overnight.

This week, we witnessed one of the more surprising storylines of the 2025 Draft: Shedeur Sanders, once projected to be a top-5 pick, slid into the fifth round.

Speculation about his fall has been swirling all weekend. There were reports suggesting concerns about Sanders’ attitude during team interviews and meetings, with some questioning his coachability and leadership style. Whether those claims are fair or exaggerated remains to be seen, but what’s undeniable is how quickly narratives can snowball during draft season.

Watching it unfold felt like déjà vu.

In 2016, Laremy Tunsil was widely regarded as the best offensive tackle in the draft — a franchise cornerstone. Hours before the first round began, a video leaked showing Tunsil wearing a gas mask and smoking from a bong. The footage — allegedly posted by a hacked social media account — caused teams to panic. Tunsil, once projected to go top-3, dropped to the 13th pick.

Many framed it as a cautionary tale about character and judgment. It also painted cannabis use in a harsh light and brought back reefer madness concerns.

But in the years since, Tunsil has flipped the narrative. He’s become one of the league’s best tackles, earned multiple Pro Bowl nods, and secured major contract extensions. His stellar performance and professionalism have long overshadowed his draft night embarrassment.

Now, Sanders has the opportunity to do something similar.

While falling to the fifth round is a major blow — both financially and to personal pride — history has shown that how a player responds is what matters most. The NFL is filled with players who carried a chip on their shoulder and turned draft-day disappointment into fuel for greatness.

Shedeur Sanders, with his talent and pedigree, has all the tools to make teams regret passing on him. If he can channel this moment the way Laremy Tunsil did, this week’s draft fall might one day be remembered not as a warning sign, but as the beginning of a redemption arc.

And if there’s anything football fans love, it’s a good redemption story.