Justin Jefferson admits being shocked by Shedeur Sanders’ draft snub while taking a dig at Russell Wilson

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson was rooting for the Giants to draft Shedeur Sanders, but they all passed on him, and he eventually slid to the fifth round.

Justin Jefferson admits being shocked by Shedeur Sanders’ draft snub while taking a dig at Russell Wilson

Justin Jefferson and Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

The Minnesota Vikings’ star wide receiver Justin Jefferson was surprised to see the Giants, Steelers, and other quarterback-needy NFL teams passing on Shedeur Sanders in the first round of the recently concluded NFL Draft. In Jefferson’s book, Sanders’ numbers and heroics in college for Colorado warranted at least a second-round draft pick.

Jefferson was in Miami during the weekend to watch the coveted Miami Grand Prix. A Bleacher Report reporter saw the All-Pro athlete and couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to document his reaction to Sanders’ monumental slide.

JJ took a dig at the Giants, ignoring the fact that Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston were already part of the Big Apple club.

I mean, New York doesn’t really have a quarterback, and the Steelers, Cleveland definitely does need a quarterback also.

Justin Jefferson said

The Giants owned the third overall pick. Instead of drafting Sanders, they selected former Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter. To throw salt in the wounds, they traded back up in the first round and took 2024-25 Gator Bowl champion, Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart.

Justin Jefferson had a hard time believing that Shedeur Sanders was drafted in the fifth round

As Jefferson mentioned, Sanders was passed on by the Steelers, Saints, and Raiders, apart from the Giants. He slid down to the third day. Eventually, the Browns drafted Shedeur at 144th overall even though they had selected Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel in the third round.

Justin Jefferson admits being shocked by Shedeur Sanders' draft snub while taking a dig at Russell Wilson
Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

Jefferson revealed that it was surprising to see Shedeur fall so far because, in his books, the former Colorado quarterback was at least a second-round pick.

It’s crazy that [Shedeur Sanders] went [and] dropped that far in the draft. I definitely don’t think he should have dropped that far, and just watching him from the previous seasons and seeing the different things he did at Colorado, I definitely think that he should have been drafted in that first, second round.

Justin Jefferson said

After the interview was over, Jefferson turned his attention to the race at Miami Gardens. His friend Oscar Piastri won the race and gave his best effort to replicate Jefferson’s trademark griddy celebration.

Piastri wrote a message on Instagram addressed to Jefferson.

Alright, Justin, I came through on the bet. I attempted the Griddy. Was it pretty? No. Did I stay true to my word? Yes. Thanks for the inspiration; hope you enjoyed. That is the first and only time I’ll do the Griddy, so I’ll leave it up to you.

Oscar Piastri wrote

According to the Mirror, Piastri was only honoring the request made by JJ, who said that he wanted the Aussie to be the first one to hit the griddy on the racetrack.

Was Deion Sanders the reason behind Shedeur Sanders sliding in the draft?

Several experts have suggested that Deion Sanders may have indirectly influenced his son’s fall to the fifth round. Emmanuel Acho talked about it on The Facility, and Stephen A. Smith hinted at the same on his podcast.

Smith apparently texted comedian/actor Chris Rock about it as well. Rock’s brother Tony disclosed the details on the From The Green Room Podcast.

Stephen A. Smith texted my brother [Chris] and said, ‘Honestly, I don’t think it had anything to do with Shedeur. If you’re an NFL head coach, drafting Shedeur meant that you were more than likely also drafting your replacement in Deion [Sanders].’

Tony Rock said

Rock added that if Mike Tomlin drafted Sanders and didn’t win the Super Bowl, Coach Prime would replace him next year.

If Deion was a bad coach, Shedeur would’ve went in the first round.

Tony Rock said

Sanders is now part of a Browns roster that has four other quarterbacks fighting for the starting job. Fortunately for him, Sanders has every chance of starting for the AFC North side in the future.

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