Mel Kiper pushes back on concerns with Shedeur Sanders, Deion in NFL

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders has proven to be one of the most interesting quarterbacks in the NFL Draft. The son of legendary NFL star Deion Sanders, he is clearly a talented quarterback but there are still concerns and questions that many people have with him moving to the next level.

One NFL Draft analyst who is all in on Shedeur Sanders is ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. In his most recent mock draft, Kiper has him going third overall to the New York Giants, a move he’s excited about because he doesn’t have the same concerns as others as he transitions to the NFL.

“I get a little tick faster in terms of getting the ball out,” Kiper said on Get Up. “You can’t take sacks in the NFL. You’re behind the sticks and you’re in those 2nd and long, third and long, it’s over. You’re giving up drives, and you’re only getting so many drives in the National Football League, right? So, you’ve got to make them count. Shedeur’s got to improve in that area, but make throws when you’re being pressured, be able to manage a game, and not turn it over. He didn’t. The interception numbers were low. The accuracy was incredible. And the leadership he’ll bring.”

In his college career, Shedeur Sanders has followed his father Deion from Jackson State to Colorado. In those two seasons at Colorado, he completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 7,364 yards and 64 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. In that same stretch, the Buffaloes went 13-12 amid severe media scrutiny.

The media scrutiny of the Sanders family and Colorado football has led to some questions about Shedeur in the NFL. In particular, what type of attention would be on the rookie and if they’re trying to manipulate where he ends up in the NFL in some regard. However, Kiper disagrees that this should be a concern.

“This whole notion it’s going to be some circus,” Kiper said. “It’s about Deion — it was never about Deion. Deion was a great teammate in the NFL and with the Atlanta Braves in Major League Baseball. He didn’t bring any of that and the last time I checked, remember, John Elway manipulated the draft. Eli Manning manipulated the draft. Shedeur Sanders, what’s he saying, I just want to come into the NFL and lead a football team. So, I think this whole Deion-Shedeur stuff is overhyped, it’s not accurate. Shedeur Sanders is all about winning, he’s a tremendous game manager, and I think he’s a hell of a quarterback.”

While Kiper isn’t concerned about Sanders, there is a lot of concern from others. Analyst Todd McShay recently shared that multiple NFL teams left their meetings with Sheduer feeling that he didn’t care what they thought of him. Around then, it was also speculated he would slip in the NFL Draft. Around then, Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner also shared concerns with his on-field play in the pocket. However, Mel Kiper clearly doesn’t agree with those issues.

Only time will tell if Shedeur Sanders is a success in the NFL. He’ll find out what team he’s going to continue that journey with on April 24th when the NFL Draft begins.