ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has hit back at Mario Cristobal over his comments regarding the 2025 NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans drafted Miami quarterback Cam Ward as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Kiper spent most of the night commenting on Sanders rather than discussing Ward.
The analyst has been criticized for his extensive coverage of Shedeur Sanders not being picked earlier in the draft. Although Kiper Jr. had the quarterback as a first-round pick, the former Colorado Buffaloes star had to wait until the fifth round before the Cleveland Browns selected him.
Mel Kiper Responds to Mario Cristobal’s Criticism of His Coverage
Cam Ward’s former coach at Miami, Mario Cristobal, claimed after the NFL Draft that he knew why ESPN NFL draft analyst Kiper spent most of the opening night focused on the fall of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, from a potential top-five pick to the fifth round.
He stated that he spoke to many people about Ward during pre-draft meetings. However, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. was not one of them. The Miami coach also revealed that he wasn’t disappointed about Ward not getting more coverage from Kiper, despite being the first pick, because Ward wasn’t bothered by any of it.
Mel Kiper Jr. has issued his response to Mario Cristobal over Shedeur Sanders being the focus of his discussion and not Cam Ward.
Mario Cristobal claims he spoke to a million people about Cam Ward, yet the one he didn’t speak to, being me, had Ward ranked higher (6th on my Big Board) than any of the other draft experts. Interesting isn’t it. And oh by the way, I didn’t speak to Deion about Shedeur either. I… https://t.co/bCfZbqBenV
— Mel Kiper Jr. (@MelKiperESPN) May 14, 2025
“Mario Cristobal claims he spoke to a million people about Cam Ward, yet the one he didn’t speak to, being me, had Ward ranked higher (6th on my big board) than any of the other draft experts. Interesting isn’t it. And oh by the way, I didn’t speak to Deion about Shedeur either. I need another Orange Crush after this nonsense,” Kiper Jr. tweeted.
Kiper has been ESPN’s head draft analyst since 1984, and leads the way during the event, analyzing picks as they happen. Kiper confirmed he did not speak to Cristobal, but pointed out he had Ward ranked higher than Sanders on his draft board-which was higher than what other experts ranked him.
The ESPN analyst also addressed claims that he was speaking with Deion Sanders to influence his coverage of his son. He revealed that he didn’t speak to Shedeur Sanders’ father and coach at Colorado, Deion Sanders.
RELATED: Former No. 1 NFL Draft Pick Cam Newton Predicts Cam Ward’s Path With Titans
During the draft, Kiper drew a large amount of criticism from viewers for how he discussed the quarterbacks through the draft. As soon as Sanders was selected on Day 3, ending his five-round slide, he ranted about how he feels NFL organizations have failed to predict player success accurately for years.
While Cristobal, Kiper, and now all of a sudden Deion Sanders are ensnared in this drama, Titans first-overall pick Ward hasn’t made a public statement about Kiper seemingly snubbing him.
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