The 2025 NFL Draft wrapped three weeks ago, but Shedeur Sanders’ shocking slide to the fifth round — and the way experts reacted to his selection — is still drumming up controversy.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, who was among Sanders’ most vocal advocates and openly expressed his surprise at the QB’s ongoing availability throughout the draft broadcast, took to X on Wednesday to reply to a quote from University of Miami coach Mario Cristobal in which he said he “never heard from” Kiper about former Hurricanes QB and No. 1 pick Cam Ward. In response, Kiper said he “had Ward ranked higher … than any of the other draft experts” and added that he didn’t speak to Deion Sanders about Shedeur either.
Deion, who coached his son Shedeur at Jackson State and Colorado, responded to Kiper’s post with gratitude for supporting Shedeur.
“But I Love u my man! You stood on the desk with great balance 10 toes down and said what u doggone said & didn’t flinch. You knew what time it was my man & we’re blessed to be right where God wanted us to be,” Sanders wrote.
Entering the draft, Kiper ranked Sanders No. 5 on his big board (one spot ahead of Ward). Before the Cleveland Browns selected Sanders at No. 144, Kiper said it was “disgusting” the former Colorado quarterback hadn’t been selected in the first three rounds.
After Sanders got picked, Kiper seemingly took aim at NFL scouts.
“The NFL has been clueless for 50 years when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks,” Kiper said. “Clueless. No idea what they’re doing in terms of evaluating quarterbacks.”
Five quarterbacks were drafted before Sanders: Ward to the Titans, Jaxson Dart to the New York Giants at No. 25, Tyler Shough to the New Orleans Saints at No. 40, Jalen Milroe to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 92 and Dillon Gabriel to the Browns at No. 94.
Since landing in Cleveland, Sanders has said he’s put the draft behind him.
“My job here isn’t to prove people wrong,” Sanders said in his first media availability at the Browns’ rookie minicamp last week. “It’s to prove myself right.”
The 23-year-old added that his story would be similar to seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady’s. Brady was drafted in the sixth round at No. 199.
“I was a late-round draft pick, but we’re here now, so none of that stuff matters,” Sanders said. “That just mattered on that day, and I’m just excited to be here and ready to work.”
(Photo: Cindy Ord / Getty Images for SiriusXM)
