Mel Kiper Jr. stands up for Shedeur Sanders amid falling NFL Draft stock following combine

The talk coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine was that Shedeur Sanders‘ stock was falling ahead of next month’s NFL Draft.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. pushed back on some of the concerns surrounding the former Colorado signal-caller during Monday’s “First Draft,” calling Sanders a “hell of a quarterback.” At the same time, Kiper understands why some others might not be as high on him.

“I love [Shedeur Sanders], but I get why he’s not automatic,” Kiper said. “Shedeur isn’t 6-foot-4. He doesn’t have the arm, he doesn’t have the mobility some of these other quarterbacks have or 40 times and running skills. I get all that, but the bottom line is he’s a hell of a quarterback who can be a franchise quarterback in this league. But I understand why people are a little lukewarm on him. I get it. So, it’s gonna be really fascinating to see where Shedeur Sanders ends up coming off the board.”

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, an anonymous NFL assistant called Sanders “brash” and “arrogant” following a team interview at the Combine. Sanders is considered the No. 1 or 2 quarterback in this year’s class with Miami’s Cam Ward. Todd McShay revealed what two teams drafting in the top 10 said about Sanders after meeting with him.

Shedeur Sanders blames media for perceived drop in NFL Draft stock: ‘It’s fool’s gold’

“The two people that I spoke to were in meetings and had these individual meetings that I just laid out to you what they are, who’s in there and why they’re important — teams in the top 10 drafting that need a quarterback,” McShay said. “The two people that I spoke to in these positions left the meeting feeling like Shedeur Sanders was not overly concerned with what they thought of him.

“They had a 15-minute meeting with them, and when they were done, they both said in different ways, different words, that they did not feel like Shedeur Sanders cared all that much about what that organization thought of him.”

McShay added that Sanders didn’t say anything negative or disrespectful during the meetings with the teams. “There was no bad behavior, here was nothing disrespectful said or done.”

During a recent workout session with renowned Hollywood trainer and actor Bradley Martyn, Sanders acknowledged the recent media reports. Sanders took aim at the media for his perceived falling stock.

“You know how life gets,” Sanders said. “But it is what it is. It’s fool’s gold. It ain’t real. Don’t believe media.”

In his collegiate career, Shedeur Sanders followed his father Deion Sanders from Jackson State to Colorado. He spent two seasons with the Buffaloes, becoming one of the best-known and most discussed quarterbacks in the country. Sanders finish the 2024 season completing 74% of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.