Before, during, and after the NFL Draft, all the spotlight-whether positive or negative-was on Shedeur Sanders, who slipped all the way to the fifth round when he was selected by the Cleveland Browns. Just two rounds earlier, the team had already chosen quarterback Dillon Gabriel from the Oregon Ducks.
During the previous season with the Colorado Buffaloes, Shedeur Sanders was projected as a first-round pick. Some even believed he had a shot at being the first overall selection. But as interviews with NFL coaches progressed, negative reports began to surface, and combined with the ongoing controversy surrounding his father, Deion Sanders, Shedeur ultimately saw his stock plummet.
NFL Legend Cris Carter harshly criticizes the Sanders family
NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver-best known for his time with the Minnesota Vikings, Cris Carter did not hold back in his criticism of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his father, Deion. Carter stated that the constant controversy surrounding the Sanders family played a role in Shedeur dropping to the fifth round.
“But Shedeur and his family overplayed their hand. They thought he was on the same evaluation level as Eli Manning, and they didn’t handle it well. Trying to narrow down which teams he would go to didn’t work. Not participating in the Combine was the wrong move. And in the interview process, clearly he could have done much better,” said Carter.
Carter, a Hall of Famer, believes Shedeur Sanders hurt himself with his own decisions. He also questioned Sanders’ behavior off the field.
“Well, you don’t play football all the time,” Carter said. “You’re a human being the rest of the time, and how you’re going to be in the locker room matters. He already launched a merchandise line called Legendary. He’s already calling himself a legend. All those things are a problem.”
“Something these kids never understand. Even if you’re a top-10 pick, you’re going to be in the NFL a long time. So your interview, your tape, the people in the room… they see you. Someone might like you, but maybe they won’t pick you. Five, ten years later? It’s a small world,” Carter concluded.
Only time will tell if NFL teams were wrong to pass on Shedeur Sanders-or right not to draft him. For now, he’ll compete with four other quarterbacks on the Cleveland Browns for the starting position.
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