After Shedeur Sanders went undrafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith attributed the decision partly to the influence of his father, Deion Sanders. Smith noted that while Deion had an impact, it couldn’t solely account for Shedeur’s unexpected drop, as many saw him as a potential top pick. Retired NFL receiver Chad Johnson criticized the media and NFL scouts, suggesting that they gave Sanders the “Colin Kaepernick treatment” due to his last name. Former MVP Boomer Esiason added that several owners had reservations about Shedeur, citing his “entitled attitude” as a concern that was exacerbated by Deion’s comments. Esiason claimed some NFL owners instructed teams to remove Sanders from their draft boards, dismissing him as a viable candidate. Todd McShay reported that Shedeur did not make a favorable impression during interviews, particularly with Giants coach Brian Daboll. In the end, the Cleveland Browns selected Sanders 144th overall, a relief for his family, especially considering his impressive college performance, which included leading the Big 12 in passing yards and touchdowns.
