Who got pranked in the 2025 NFL draft? A look at the rookies fooled on draft day

The 2025 NFL Draft wasn’t just about the top picks and dramatic trades, it also brought in a few surprises in the form of pranks. As players were awaiting their moment in the spotlight, some unsuspecting rookies found themselves at the center of some good-natured and not-so-good-natured, draft-day jokes. Let’s break down who got pranked, how it all unfolded, and why the pranks stirred up a bit of controversy.

Shedeur Sanders falls victim to a viral prank call before his pick


One of the biggest stories coming out of the 2025 NFL Draft wasn’t about Shedeur Sanders’ fall from first-round projections, but a prank call that nearly sent the internet into a frenzy. Before he was selected by the Cleveland Browns , Sanders was the victim of a prank call from someone impersonating New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis. The call suggested he would be picked up by the Saints, causing Shedeur to believe he was about to be drafted.

Shedeur Sanders was on stream and got a prank call from someone acting like they’re part of an NFL team and said “have to wait a little longer” pic.twitter.com/hmPpQ2G4ok

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 26, 2025

Many fans felt bad for Sanders, who had to deal with the prank on top of the pressure surrounding his drop in the draft. He later laughed it off, but it definitely left its mark on draft day drama.

Mason Graham bombarded with prank calls in the Green Room


Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham might’ve been one of the unluckiest rookies when it came to prank calls during the 2025 draft. His father confirmed that pranksters had gotten ahold of Mason’s phone number after a TikTok video surfaced. While Mason was sitting in the Green Room, awaiting his call to the podium, prank callers flooded his phone with calls.

🚨EXCLUSIVE: #Browns 5th overall pick Mason Graham received a PRANK phone call around the time the actual Cleveland #Browns informed him they were drafting him, sources familiar with the situation tell @_MLFootball.

…

5+ players received prank calls throughout the draft. Awful pic.twitter.com/7iQbKWRl9Z

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 28, 2025

While the calls were lighthearted for the most part, it was clear that the whole thing became an unwelcome distraction for Graham. As soon as the video of his phone being inundated with calls went viral, many fans weighed in, some joking that it was part of the modern NFL draft experience.


Tyler Warren receives prank call during the Jets' pick


Tight end Tyler Warren, who was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round, found himself caught up in another prank call situation. As the Jets were preparing to make their pick at No. 7, Tyler received a phone call that threw him off guard, another prank.

Sources: Penn State TE Tyler Warren was also prank called during the draft, receiving a call when the #Jets were on the clock at No. 7. I’m told Warren’s camp believes it was the same number and/or area code involved in the Shedeur Sanders prank on Friday night.

NFL teams have… pic.twitter.com/dJrF9Ir22s

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 27, 2025

His phone number had been leaked, and pranksters were eager to get a reaction from him, much like what happened with Shedeur Sanders earlier. Tyler remained calm, though, brushing it off as just another part of the draft-day experience.

Kyle McCord’s draft day distraction: Multiple prank calls


Quarterback Kyle McCord, drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, had his own share of draft-day pranks to deal with. Throughout the day, McCord was bombarded by multiple prank calls, all attempting to catch him off-guard.

Awful: Eagles rookie QB Kyle McCord says he received multiple prank phone calls during the draft, answering every single one, hoping it would be the real thing.

When Eagles GM Howie Roseman called him in the sixth round, McCord assumed it was just another prank call.

These… pic.twitter.com/8C5SxnkyWr

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 28, 2025

He mentioned how these calls distracted him from the excitement, especially as he awaited his selection. Despite the pranks, McCord stayed composed and kept his focus on the big moment.

Texas WR Isaiah Bond was cruelly pranked by a fake call during the NFL draft
Not all pranks this year were lighthearted. Sadly, Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond was the victim of a cruel prank during one of the biggest nights of his life.

Awful: An Alabama fan called Texas WR Isaiah Bond during the draft, pretending to be the Falcons and claimed they were drafting him.

These aren't ‘pranks’; they are cruel.

Athletes shouldn't have to go through this. pic.twitter.com/8fdClkNDj8

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 28, 2025

An Alabama fan reportedly called Bond during the draft, pretending to be someone from the Atlanta Falcons organization. They falsely told him he was about to be selected, news that, for any athlete, would be life-changing.

The NFL is not ignoring these prank calls. The league launched an investigation into how the rookies’ personal information was leaked, causing these pranks to occur. While some of the incidents appear to have been harmless jokes, the league is taking this very seriously. Ensuring the privacy and comfort of players, especially on such a momentous day, is critical, and the NFL plans to tighten security around personal details of future draft prospects.

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