Part 2/8:
Sliding Down the Draft Board
The surprise came not just from the fact that Sanders wasn't selected in the first round, but that he plummeted to the fifth round—being the 144th overall pick. Analysts pointed to a myriad of reasons for this unexpected decline, including perceptions about his on-field performance and concerns regarding his attitude and behavior off the field. Reports indicated that many teams did not include him on their draft boards, suggesting a consensus among GMs and coaches that he didn't fit their desired culture.