The first two nights of the 2025 NFL Draft brought shockwaves no one saw coming.
Shedeur Sanders, once pegged by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. as the top quarterback prospect, watched as name after name came off the board without hearing his own. Fans buzzed with disbelief, and analysts scrambled for answers. Sanders, who dazzled at Colorado with poise and precision, somehow slid into Day 3 without a team calling his number.
Kiper, long known for his passionate draft takes, did not hold back when speaking about Sanders’ surprising tumble. On Friday night, the ESPN analyst summed up his feelings with one word: “disgusting.” His reaction captured the sentiment of many who believed Sanders deserved far better based on his college resume.
Kiper Rips Into NFL Decision-Makers Over Sanders’ Slide
Speaking candidly on ESPN’s coverage Friday, Kiper made it clear that he believes the slide had little to do with Sanders’ football abilities. “I really have nothing to say,” Kiper said. “I think it’s disgusting. That’s all I can say.” His frustration was raw, reflecting a genuine confusion shared across the football world.
‘Disgusted’ Mel Kiper Jr. name drops Peyton Manning, Tom Brady in rant about Shedeur Sanders https://t.co/T7XOSsDB7R
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 26, 2025
Kiper pointed to Sanders’ performance under pressure and his decision-making skills as reasons why teams should have jumped at the chance to draft him. “To have a quarterback with the kind of ability he showed under duress, accurate, decision-maker, tough,” Kiper explained, shaking his head at the snub. He also pushed back strongly against any whispers that character concerns played a role in Sanders’ fall.
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“This to me is about what I think they perceive as cocky or confident? Arrogant or charismatic? Leadership,” Kiper said. “There’s not gonna be a show. There’s not gonna be a circus with Shedeur Sanders.” His comments called out what he sees as unfair assumptions clouding evaluations of the former Colorado star.
While quarterbacks like Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel found homes, Sanders remains on the board heading into Saturday. If he stays undrafted, it could mark one of the most shocking draft outcomes in recent memory. For now, Sanders waits. So does the football world, wondering how a player compared earlier this week by Kiper to legends like Tom Brady and Drew Brees could still be without a team.
