“Drafted players have no choice.”
They actually do if the owners, who direct the operations of their teams and make the rules, want to trade for something. And Sanders can go to the Canadian Football league. Warren Moon did it and returned later to the NFL. Also, a drafted player can refuse to sign with the team that drafted them, which would then allow them to re-enter the draft the following year, according to ESPN. But it means losing a year and if they opt to play in Canada and get injured, there goes the money from the NFL.
wy69
I grew up in WA and was a Husky fan (and now alum). Warren Moon was NOT drafted then decided to go to the CFL. He got zero interest from the NFL because back then there were no black quarterbacks. After 6 seasons in the CFL, including 5 Grey Cup victories, he was signed by the Oilers.
The player that you are thinking of was John Elway. He was drafted by the Colts (original Baltimore Colts). Elway threatened to play baseball instead because he did not want to play for Frank Kush (HC). At the draft, the Colts took Elway, and the Broncos took Chris Hinton. A few weeks later they swapped picks, with the Colts also getting Mark Herrmann, and the Bronco’s first round choice in 1984.
There is also the Eli Manning debacle where he was drafted by the Chargers and then traded for Philip Rivers, who was drafted by the Giants.
Bo Jackson was drafted by the Bucs and chose to play baseball instead. When he came back the Bucs had lost his rights and he signed with the Raiders.
Jim Kelly was drafted by the Bills, refused to play for them and went to the USFL. When the USFL folded, he decided to play for the Bills.
Rich Gannon was drafted by the Pats, and they wanted to convert him to an RB or WR. He was upset so they traded him to the Vikings.
Bruce Clark was drafted by GB, who wanted to turn him into a NT. He refused, went to the CFL for a few years, then came back and signed with the Saints.
Kyler Murray was drafted by the Baseball A’s, but stayed in college one more year then decided he liked football better and was drafted by the Cardinals.
Kelly Stouffer was drafted by the Cardinals, sat out his rookie year, then signed with the Seahawks.