Shedeur Sanders, the highly regarded quarterback from Colorado, has surprised many by going undrafted through the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. This unexpected slide has drawn sharp criticism from Mel Kiper Jr., a respected analyst at ESPN, who expressed his disbelief and frustration over Sanders’ situation.
Kiper, known for his keen insights into the draft process, did not hold back his thoughts. He called it “disgusting” that a player he ranked as the fifth-best overall prospect was still available. He noted that in his 47 years of experience, he had never seen a quarterback rated so highly drop this far in the draft. Kiper questioned what teams were thinking, pointing out that other quarterbacks selected before Sanders did not match his talent level.
Sanders, who stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds, has shown impressive skills on the field. Kiper highlighted Sanders’ accuracy, toughness, and decision-making abilities, stating that he lacks only a "rocket arm" and elite speed. Kiper believes that Sanders’ leadership qualities and work ethic, traits he inherited from his father, NFL legend Deion Sanders, should make him an appealing choice for any team.
As the draft progressed, Sanders remained on the board, leading Kiper to label him as the top player available. He expressed disbelief that Sanders had not been picked after 102 selections, emphasizing that he should have been a first-round choice.
Kiper’s most intense reaction came when the Seattle Seahawks selected Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round, a decision many expected would not happen before Sanders was chosen. Kiper argued that traditional pocket passers like Sanders face challenges in the current NFL landscape, where teams often favor different skill sets.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Kiper remains confident that Sanders will eventually find a place in the league. He believes that Sanders will work hard and earn the respect of his teammates, ultimately proving to be a valuable quarterback.
As Day 3 of the draft approaches, the football world watches closely to see where Sanders will land, hoping that he can turn this surprising setback into a successful career.