When controversy becomes a money-making machine, it might be best to let it stay controversial. That’s precisely what the “Shedeur Effect” proved in this year’s NFL Draft.
Shedeur Sanders wasn’t expected to fall to Round 5, as he had been considered a potential first-round pick from the very beginning. Despite the slide, America sat and watched on bated breath, waiting to hear the Colorado star’s name. That resulted in a massive ratings spike for the televised event.
Shedeur Sanders’ Star Power Ignites NFL Draft Viewership
The NFL Draft saw a huge surge in viewership this year, with Nielsen ratings showing that the second and third days averaged 7.3 million viewers across ABC, ESPN2, and NFL Network.
It was a 40% increase compared to last year, making it the second-most-watched Day 2 in NFL Draft history, only behind the 2020 draft during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to Shedeur Sanders, Days 2 and 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft averaged 7.3 million viewers across ESPN2, NFL Network, and ABC — a 40% jump from last year. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xTUBoQcFDj
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) April 28, 2025
Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, entered the draft with major buzz after a stellar college career.
He threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in his final season at Colorado, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. But the suspense grew as teams passed on him during the first two days. Fans couldn’t look away—they kept watching just to see where he’d land.
That wait finally ended on Day 3, when the Cleveland Browns selected him with the 144th overall pick in Round 5. Meanwhile, the unexpected fall created a stir. Analysts debated. Fans reacted. And the NFL’s viewership and money kept climbing.
KEEP READING: Ranking College Football’s Best NFL Draft Classes: Ohio State Holds the Throne, Florida and Notre Dame Disappoint
Beyond Sanders’ story, the event saw massive attendance, with 600,000 fans in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This year’s competition was fierce, but much of the spotlight stayed on Sanders and his father, Coach Prime.
While social media lit up with debates and opinions, the NFL’s money machine kept spinning. The “Shedeur Effect” helped turn this draft into one of the most talked-about events in recent memory.
If this is any indication of the power Sanders has on TV viewership, the Browns’ 2025 games will be appointment TV.
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