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

by:Alex Byington•about 17 hours•

_AlexByington

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado - © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Following last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, anonymous criticisms of Shedeur Sanders began to circulate in media reports. According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, that included at least one unnamed NFL assistant reportedly describing the projected Top 10 pick as “brash” and “arrogant” after meeting with the former Colorado quarterback in Indianapolis.

Sanders, the son of former NFL superstar and current Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, has heard it all and is dismissing it as “fool’s gold.” You can see the full exchange below:

During a recent workout session with renowned Hollywood trainer and actor Bradley Martyn, Sanders acknowledged the recent media reports. In the video, Sanders, alongside a self-described Las Vegas Raiders fan, told the quarterback: “I’m praying for you, man. I hope to God they trade up for you.”

The Raiders, owners of the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, are among several quarterback-needy teams that have reportedly shown interest in drafting Sanders. The former Colorado star is vying with Miami‘s Cam Ward to be the first quarterback selected next month.

“Well everybody trying to make my stock drop right now, so who knows,” Sanders responded. Martyn followed up by asking for specifics: “Who is trying to make it drop?”

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

Stephen A. Smith: Shedeur Sanders critics rooted in hatred of Deion Sanders

There are two quarterbacks sitting atop most NFL Draft boards, Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward. However, Sanders is now facing criticism, largely due to a perceived attitude that he has given off in meetings with teams.

Amid that criticism of Shedeur Sanders, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith came to Shedeur’s defense. He argued on First Take that it’s best for a young quarterback to be confident and pointed out that Shedeur doesn’t have off-field issues. Instead, he believes this issue is that critics simply don’t like his father, Deion Sanders.

“I’m trying to remain composed and not really be as angry as I want to be,” Stephen A. Smith said. “I’m fuming inside right now. What is he supposed to be as a quarterback entering the NFL? You can’t be insecure and still succeed. You can’t have doubts about your abilities and be successful as a quarterback in the NFL. If I know that, every single executive knows you have to have confidence. He has a resume that validates and backs up his confidence.”

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

“So, I’m getting angry because a young black man, highly successful, highly accomplished, and incomparable and incredible pedigree is entering the NFL, is considered easily one of the top two quarterbacks entering the NFL Draft,” Smith said.

On3’s Dan Morrison contributed to this report.