Shedeur Sanders’ draft misery helped broadcasters see a sharp 40% rise in day 2, day 3 viewership

According to NFL data an estimated 7.3 million people tuned in to watch the day two proceedings of the draft in hopes of witnessing Shedeur Sanders being drafted by an NFL team.

Shedeur Sanders’ draft misery helped broadcasters see a sharp 40% rise in day 2, day 3 viewership

Mel Kiper and Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO/X)

The 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay witnessed record-breaking views on day 2. Shedeur Sanders’ surprising draft slide played a key role in the increase in viewership.

As per the league, an estimated 7.3 million people tuned in to watch the day two proceedings of the draft. It was the second most-watched Day 2 on record. The viewership was up 40% from last year.

Day two featured two rounds: the second and third. Channels such as ESPN, NFL Network, ABC, ESPN Deportes, and digital channels owned the rights to broadcast them all over the world.

Day one was already a massive success for the TV and streaming networks. Fans and analysts were glued to their nearest screens to see which NFL team would draft Shedeur Sanders. So, it came as a surprise when none of the quarterback-needy teams stepped up to select the 2024 FBS leader in pass completions.

Sanders was projected as the first overall pick back in February, followed by Cam Ward of Miami. The narrative flipped as the draft came closer. The Tennessee Titans, who owned the first overall pick, went with Ward. Shedeur remained undrafted.

Veteran sports analyst and critic Skip Bayless claimed that the Titans made a monumental mistake.

Some believe the reason behind the sudden increase in viewership on day two of the draft can be linked to Sanders slipping to the second round. On top of it, Sanders got pranked on his phone by a 21-year-old impersonating the New Orleans Saints general manager halfway through the day.

ESPN’s draft expert, Mel Kiper, was livid with the NFL teams not taking a chance on Sanders because of a report by Tom Pelissero.

I really have nothing to say. I’m just disgusted. That’s all I can say… You talk about cocky or confident, arrogant or charismatic, OK? Leadership. There’s not going to be a show. There’s not going to be a circus with Shedeur Sanders…   He’s going to be a hell of a quarterback in his league, and he will cause a lot of sleepless nights and a lot of anguish.

Mel Kiper said

What was the average viewership of the first two days of the 2024 NFL draft?

Sanders going undrafted for two straight days created a commotion not just on social media but also on various sports shows and podcasts. From Stephen A. Smith to Shannon Sharpe, everyone wanted to know the reason behind teams passing on the former Colorado quarterback.

Shedeur Sanders' draft misery helped broadcasters see a sharp 40% rise in day 2, day 3 viewership
Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

The Cleveland Browns eventually selected Shedeur in the fifth round, 144th overall. He was picked after Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel.

Shedeur should’ve gone first to Tennessee. He went 144th, to arguably the NFL’s worst franchise, in a division featuring the 2 best quarterbacks in the NFL—in pretty lousy weather … after they already took Dillon Gabriel. So is Shedeur now just a valuable trading piece?

Skip Bayless tweeted

Shedeur’s two-day misery finally came to an end. The NFL has yet to release the viewership count for the third day, as per Front Office Sports. However, an estimated 13.7 million people watched day one of the draft. Moreover, the viewership count circled around the 8 million mark constantly throughout the first three rounds.

As for Sanders, he was seen throwing a party at a Dallas nightclub. Several big shots of the music world were present, including Yung Miami.

He also received expensive gifts for becoming an NFL player. Footage showed the 23-year-old holding a Louis Vuitton bag and a suitcase full of cash.

His brother, Shilo, also ended up on a team. After going undrafted, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked Shilo up along with Florida’s 464-pound defensive lineman Desmond Watson.

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