Former NFL general manager turned ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum believes Shedeur Sanders could possess unprecedented veto-power during the 2025 NFL Draft.

We’ve seen players in the past veto a team from drafting them, like Eli Manning with the San Diego Chargers, but it’s been quite some time since it’s come to fruition in the NFL. Evidently, Tannenbaum believes Sanders’ unique background could lead to him being able to choose his destination, even if his father Deion Sanders remains in Boulder.

“Here’s what’s fascinating to me, Shedeur Sanders legitimately will have veto power unlike any other player,” Tannenbaum stated. “Typically, when you’re with an organization, and some player says, ‘Don’t draft me, I don’t want to go there,’ no one believes that, because ultimately, you’re not going to pass on an NFL paycheck, and you want to get there, it’s a race to $60 million on a quarterback extension. Shedeur Sanders could actually sit out a year and get paid very, very well, and teams and organizations are going to know that.

“While Deion may not be able to orchestrate everything, I legitimately think that Shedeur will have veto power. If Team X is on the clock, and he says, ‘Don’t draft me, I’m not coming,’ they’re going to look at that differently.”

Many quarterback-needy franchises would certainly love their shot at drafting Sanders come April 2025. However, if he has a preferred destination, he could feasibly force his way there. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s certainly not off the table, if the quarterback has no qualms about potentially sitting out until his demands are met.

Regardless of any hearsay, Sanders has shown why he’s a star throughout the 2024 campaign, passing for 3,222 yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 72.9% completion percentage. He’s about to surpass his total yards from last season, while already equaling the amount of touchdowns, and having a higher completion percentage this season.

That’s led many to believe he’s the best quarterback available for the 2025 NFL Draft, and for good reason. Former college coach (and Tannenbaum’s colleague) Dan Mullen watches a lot of quarterbacks in college football, but none stick out like the Colorado star.

“I think it’s pretty easy, it’s Shedeur Sanders,” Mullen said, regarding the best quarterback in college football, via The Pat McAfee Show. “You watch him play, the consistency week in and week out of what he’s able to do and lead that team. Now, you know, they’re a very talented team, and coach Prime’s done an amazing job of turning that around. They do have probably the first and second pick in the draft, so you would hope they’d win some out there when you have that good of players. But I think watching how he’s grown and matured.” 

” … If I was a betting man, he’s the guy you want right now if you want to win a game in college football. And I’d be highly shocked if he’s not the first pick taken in the draft.”

It remains to be seen if Shedeur Sanders tries to force the NFL’s hand when it comes to his future, but his star will likely shine either way. Whether it’s in Dallas, Las Vegas, Tennessee, New York or somewhere else might depend on where he wants to end up, if he plays his cards right.