The 2024 NFL Draft was full of surprises, but one of the biggest shocks was Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders slipping to the fifth round after being projected as a potential first- or second-day pick. The financial impact of this drop is staggering—here’s how much money Sanders likely lost by falling to the No. 142 overall pick.
The Cost of Sliding in the Draft
NFL rookie contracts are largely determined by draft position, with higher picks securing significantly larger signing bonuses and guaranteed money. According to Spotrac’s estimates based on the 2024 NFL Draft slot values:
- First-round pick (Top 32):
- Signing bonus: ~8–8–20 million
- Total guaranteed money: ~12–12–35 million
- Example: No. 1 pick Caleb Williams signed a $39.4 million fully guaranteed deal with the Bears.
- Second-round pick (33-64):
- Signing bonus: ~1.5–1.5–4 million
- Total guaranteed money: ~3–3–8 million
- Fifth-round pick (142nd overall, Sanders’ selection):
- Estimated signing bonus: ~$350,000
- Total guaranteed money: ~$400,000
- Total contract value (4 years): ~$4.3 million (mostly non-guaranteed)
How Much Did Shedeur Sanders Lose?
If Sanders had been selected in the late first round (pick 25-32), his contract could have been worth 12–12–15 million fully guaranteed. Even as a second-rounder, he would have secured at least 3–3–5 million guaranteed.
By falling to the fifth round, Sanders missed out on:
- At least $10+ million in guaranteed money (compared to a first-round selection)
- 3–3–5 million (compared to a second- or third-round pick)
Why Did Sanders Fall?
Several factors likely contributed to his slide:
- Size concerns (listed at 6’2”, but some scouts questioned his frame)
- System QB questions (Colorado’s offense inflated stats with quick passes)
- Inconsistent pocket presence (struggled under pressure in 2023)
- Strong QB class (teams prioritized other prospects like Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr.)
What’s Next for Shedeur?
While the financial loss is significant, Sanders now has a chip on his shoulder as he joins the [insert team name] with a chance to prove himself. If he outperforms expectations, he could still land a lucrative second contract—but the road just got much tougher.
For now, the draft slide serves as a harsh reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL.
