ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper, in trademark bluntness, dismisses the notion of Shedeur Sanders falling in the draft during his analysis.
Mel Kiper Doesn’t Pull Punches About Shedeur Sanders
Like the groundhog not seeing his shadow and jellybeans, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. emerges from his winter hiding spot to discuss the upcoming event. Kiper, in his 41st year at ESPN, sat down with the host of the Get Up! ESPN Morning talk show.
One of the hot topics during the release of his latest mock draft became Sanders. If you hear multiple analysts and various anonymous scouts, tell it, the 2024 leader in completion percentage will not see the top of the draft.
These are the people who work for the NFL team but lack the intestinal fortitude to affix their names to the quote. Meanwhile, Kiper doesn’t seem to agree with that train of thought, explaining:
“Well, I think of the quarterback room of Winston, Wilson, and DeVito. Is it a law firm or a quarterback room? We’re talking about a quarterback in Shedeur Sanders, who I think will be a heck of a player. The best players in this draft to that point are Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, and Nason Graham.”
.@MelKiperESPN on if he still expects the Giants to take Shedeur Sanders at No. 3 in the NFL draft after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/71NLTNezXU
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 1, 2025
Kiper starts firing on all cylinders and then proceeds to serve word salads. He states, “If a team loves Sanders, draft him. If they don’t, do not select him.” That level of analysis seems like why Mike Mayock landed a general manager job before him.
In Kiper’s defense, this draft doesn’t seem like a rather strong one for quarterbacks. Outside of Cam Ward, Sanders, and maybe Jaxson Dart, the pickings appear very slim. As a result, teams will not reach high when a quarterback will probably fall to them.
As agreed to just about everyone, Cam Ward is the best available quarterback in this draft. The former Miami product should easily start on Week One for his team. Where does that leave Sanders?
Whatever metric, be it video or production or traits, Sanders ranks as the undisputed second quarterback available in the 2025 NFL Draft. Right now, he’s more advance than Michael Penix, Jr, Bo Nix or J.J. McCarthy. Analysts call him the most game-ready.
That is to say, he could start from the first moment of camp on. Granted, Ward does possess better overall physical tools. Yet, Sanders flashes the edge in accuracy at all three levels.
Normally, when a player completes over 70 percent of his throws, you’d expect more of a dink-and-dunk offense that operates in the shot-passing game and features extensive screen use. As this clip shows, Sanders loves to let the ball fly.
For two-fifths of a century, Kiper became the voice of the NFL Draft. After starting at ESPN back in 1984, he parlayed the draft process into an industry. His insights and weirdly tufted hair graced the airwaves for so long, he watched fathers and sons drafted years apart.
Now, does this make him a credible source? While he’s tapped into the NFL front offices, some of his draft takes leave quite a bit to be desired.
KEEP READING: NFL Draft Rumors: Did Saints Quietly Shut Door on Drafting QB Shedeur Sanders?
When discussing the Houston Texans selecting David Carr with the first pick of the 2002 draft, Kiper effusively praised the player:
“Carr now becomes the cornerstone of the Texans’ franchise. He is a franchise-caliber quarterback with accuracy and velocity reminiscent of another No. 1 overall pick, Troy Aikman.”
Carr went 23-56 in 79 career starts. For all of his ” Aikman-like” qualities, someone should have drafted him an offensive line. Opponents sacked the rookie a league-record 76 times.
Mel Kiper remains a polarizing figure after four decades. Either you love him or want to change the channel. In this scenario, listing Sanders as the second-best passer in the draft rings true. That said, the Giants still need to make that determination.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
