After last year’s draft, Sanders was installed as the initial favourite to be this year’s first pick.

Ward was expected to be a late-round pick but a fine season with Miami saw him usurp Sanders in January, while uncertainty grew surrounding Sanders.

The New York Giants took pass rusher Abdul Carter with the third pick, before the New England Patriots chose offensive tackle Will Campbell and Cleveland claimed defensive tackle Mason Graham.

In scenes reminiscent of the humbling wait Aaron Rodgers endured during the 2005 Draft, Sanders continued to slide.

And although the 23-year-old had a pre-draft meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who need a quarterback, they also snubbed him with the 21st pick.

Sanders and his family were spared the ignominy of waiting in the green room in Green Bay as he was not invited to the draft.

But Shedeur and his father Deion looked dismayed at a private party in their native Texas, as the Giants traded back into the first round for the 25th pick, only to take another quarterback – Jaxson Dart out of Mississippi.

Sanders didn’t just fall past the 24th pick – where the Packers put Rodgers out of his misery – he fell into the second round, with Ward and Dart being the only QBs drafted on day one.

Sanders will hope to finally get a call early on Friday, when the draft continues with rounds two and three.