The 2024 NFL Draft is just a month away, and the draft conversations aren’t done heating up. However, it’s not just the 2024 NFL Draft being talked about, the 2025 one is as well. Thanks to Deion Sanders’ recent quotes on his son Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, people are talking about what could happen come next cycle.
RGIII Speaks on Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter Potentially Pulling an ‘Eli’
Over the weekend, former NFL star and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders spoke to the media. In doing so, he revealed what could be a crazy 2025 NFL Draft. “There’s certain cities that ain’t gonna happen … It’s gonna be an Eli [Manning],” Deion said on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast.
“Top four. Anywhere from one through four. One of them is gonna be one,” Deion said when asked how high the duo would be drafted. “Now, all of this is subjective because I know where I want, kinda want, them to go.”
When talking about it being an “Eli,” Deion is referring to when Manning informed the then-San Diego Chargers that he wouldn’t play for them if selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. The Chargers ended up picking Manning but traded him shortly thereafter to the New York Giants.
“The power shift is coming, so everyone needs to buckle up,” Robert Griffin III said on ESPN’s Get Up. “Without the players, all of these sports leagues are nothing. This is the player empowerment age, and you’re seeing it coming to the NFL.”
Robert Griffin III responds to Deion Sanders saying Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter will pull Eli Mannings to avoid playing in certain cities when they get drafted.
"The power shift is coming, so everyone needs to buckle up… without the players, all of these sports leagues… pic.twitter.com/fvVBKTZPB2
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 25, 2024
“Deion saying that either Shedeur or Travis Hunter should, or are going to, pull an Eli doesn’t surprise me at all,” Griffin said. “Look what’s happened this year. Caleb Williams goes to the Combine; doesn’t do anything except meetings; doesn’t even let the medical teams go out there.”
While “Pulling an Eli” is a commonly known thing, it has only happened notably twice, and Eli was the last time, 20 years ago. Despite it not happening, there have been plenty of rumors of it potentially happening in the past with Joe Burrow in 2020 and even Williams in 2024. John Elway was the other player to do it before Manning in 1983.
“In today’s age, with the athletes and their mindset, they are empowered,” Griffin said. “They know that they can control their own narratives. They know that they can be a part of the media while they’re still playing.”
Hunter and Sanders as Prospects
While Deion claims both will go top four, with one being the top pick, how good really are Shedeur and Hunter? Pretty good. According to CBS Sports, Shedeur is the 15th-best returning player in college football in 2024; he was eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Shedeur was in his first year of Power Five football in 2023 and passed for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 69.3% completion percentage. He will likely compete with Georgia’s Carson Beck and a few others to be the top quarterback off the board.
KEEP READING: Top 10 2025 NFL Draft QBs — Carson Beck, Shedeur Sanders Lead a Group With More To Prove
For Hunter, he’s a two-way phenom. Whether it’s playing as a receiver or cornerback, he’s arguably the best player on any football field he touches. ESPN put Hunter on their “Way-Too-Early All-America team” for 2024.
In 2023, Hunter caught 57 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver. As a cornerback, though, he recorded 30 tackles, three interceptions, and five pass deflections. While his two-way playstyle is impressive, he will likely commit to being just a corner in the NFL.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!