Shedeur Sanders' NFL Draft fall ignites fiery debate between ESPN broadcasters

Colin Cowherd reacts to Shedeur Sanders’ surprising slide out of Round 1 and what it means for his NFL future

Shedeur Sanders’ slide from a projected first-round pick to an eventual fifth-round selection proved to be the most polarizing topic of the NFL Draft over the weekend.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. was one of the staunch defenders of Sanders and was shocked over his fall to the Cleveland Browns. The annoyed broadcaster teed off on teams after Sanders was picked, and it led to a clash between him and fellow colleague Rece Davis.

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Oct. 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona: Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports)

NFL analyst Louis Riddick explained to Kiper that the question wasn’t about whether Sanders could play quarterback but, from a team perspective, whether they want him to play the position. 

Kiper, perplexed, couldn’t understand why a team wouldn’t want Sanders, considering that he’s "one of the toughest quarterbacks you’ve ever seen." Riddick responded, "This is personal," about the reason why Sanders fell. Kiper added that Sanders hasn’t had an "off-the-field issue."

Davis then agreed with Riddick when he said that the "draft has spoken."

"That’s the key, Mel. It’s not putting a value judgment who passed were right or wrong. They did. So, now, whenever you’re in circumstances in life, whether you like them, whether you don’t like them, whether they’re fair or whether they’re unfair, you might have to deal with them," Davis said. "And now Shedeur Sanders has to deal with them. 

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