NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin did not hold back when discussing Shedeur Sanders‘ unexpected drop in projected draft value.
The legendary Dallas Cowboys wide receiver lashed out at NFL teams, accusing them of robbing Sanders of tens of millions of dollars due to what he perceives as unfair draft treatment.
Sanders, the standout quarterback at the University of Colorado and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, had once been viewed as a high first-round draft prospect. However, a disappointing slide in projections raised questions about his valuation-and Irvin made his thoughts crystal clear.
“You’re talking about Shedeur Sanders, man, and what just happened with him,” Irvin said during a spirited segment. “That was highway robbery – $50 million robbery! Shame on you!”
A slide that sparked outrage
Shedeur Sanders‘ fall in draft forecasts has been widely discussed among analysts, fans, and former players. Initially predicted to be among the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class, his ranking took a hit during the latter half of the college season.
Critics pointed to Colorado’s overall team performance and issues on the offensive line, which often left Sanders under pressure. But many believe those team-based struggles unfairly diminished his individual evaluation.
Irvin believes this was a grave mistake by NFL franchises, emphasizing that Sanders‘ talent should outweigh situational team performance.
“You know what you took from him by dropping him down like that? You took about $50 million from him. He earned that. He earned the right to be the second pick in the NFL Draft,” Irvin said.
The former wide receiver’s words suggest frustration with how NFL scouting and evaluation processes sometimes overlook context in favor of short-term metrics. He argues that Sanders, who threw for over 3,200 yards and 27 touchdowns in his 2023 season, should not be punished for a flawed supporting cast.
Larger implications for black quarterbacks?
Irvin‘s comments have also reignited a broader conversation around how Black quarterbacks are evaluated and critiqued during the draft process. While no specific accusations were made in this instance, past patterns have shown inconsistencies in how quarterbacks of color are assessed compared to their white counterparts.
Sanders, like many Black quarterbacks before him, has faced scrutiny not just for his play, but also for his persona and public profile-something his father Deion Sanders has also confronted throughout his career.
In the end, Irvin’s impassioned defense of Sanders speaks to a growing frustration among former players and fans who feel NFL teams too often rely on flawed or narrow metrics when evaluating talent.
Whether Shedeur Sanders can prove doubters wrong remains to be seen, but Irvin made one thing clear: in his eyes, the NFL just made a $50 million mistake.
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