With the 2025 NFL Draft just a week away, the spotlight is squarely on where Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders will land. With Miami’s Cam Ward widely projected to go No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans, analysts are speculating whether the Cleveland Browns or New York Giants will grab Sanders at picks No. 2 or No. 3—or if he’ll endure an Aaron Rodgers-style slide.
If Sanders slips past the Giants at No. 3, the New Orleans Saints could be next in line. DraftKings Sportsbook currently lists them as the favorites to select Sanders at +195. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who hold the 21st pick, have the second-best odds at +275.
Stephen A. Points to Coach Prime in Shedeur’s NFL Draft Doubts
On Thursday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith and NFL Network’s Rich Eisen discussed how Deion Sanders, head coach at Colorado and father of Shedeur, may be influencing teams’ decisions regarding the star quarterback.
“They didn’t really see those things from Shedeur at all. They just don’t like the thought of having to deal with his father,” Smith said. “Because this man knows what he’s talking about. He’s the crème de la crème when it comes to the National Football League. You can’t get anything over on Prime, and as a result of that, the thought of having to deal with him, you’re having to deal with the dad, you know, dissuades them from having to deal with Shedeur Sanders.”
Smith went on to suggest Deion is aware of that dynamic.
“I mean, I don’t believe it, but when you see some of the things… I can tell you this much, Prime has suspected that on a couple of occasions because of the things that have been said about his son. I can tell you that much.”
Eisen pushed back on the idea that Deion is a negative influence.
“I mean, the whole notion of Prime as a LaVar Ball comparison is absurd,” Eisen said. “As a matter of fact, what you would be getting is somebody who knows the National Football League inside and out. Just look at Colorado’s Pro Day. I just love the packaging, man. Listen, the bottom line is, everyone was flocking around him. Everyone was talking to him. Everyone wants his piece of mind.”
Eisen emphasized that Deion wouldn’t be a distraction.
“He’s not gonna be a distraction. In all honesty, maybe we in the media might put him in a position to be a distraction, because nothing lights us up more than talking about something that’s a distraction. It makes us sound like we’re being heard. Bottom line is, I don’t buy any of that stuff.”
He added that criticism of Shedeur should come down to performance, not parentage.
“If you don’t like him because of his tape, or because of what you think his physical abilities are, that’s kind of out of my lane.”
KEEP READING: Top 10 QBs in the 2025 NFL Draft
“I’m not an All-22 guy. I just know the family he’s coming from, and Deion sends professionals to the next level. If they’re not, it’s not because of him.”
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