Stephen A. Smith Fires Back at NFL Over Shedeur Sanders' Draft Slide
Outspoken ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith is no stranger to controversy, but his latest criticism hits right at the heart of the NFL’s draft machinery. On a recent episode of 'First Take,' Smith called the drop of Shedeur Sanders—the Colorado Buffaloes' quarterback and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders—in the 2025 NFL Draft “appalling.” Smith didn’t mince words about why he thinks Shedeur sank from a projected top-two pick, right next to Cam Ward, to late in the first round in some reputable mock drafts.
Just months ago, Shedeur Sanders was considered almost a lock for a top-10 pick. Analysts placed him as high as No. 3 to the New York Giants, and other updates slotted him with the Raiders and Saints at No. 6 and No. 9. Now, he’s showing up as low as No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers and even No. 29 in some expert projections. For Stephen A. Smith, the story behind this slide isn’t about football—it’s about the so-called baggage of Deion Sanders.
Smith didn’t hesitate to put NFL teams on blast, saying their main concern wasn’t what Shedeur did on the field. Instead, Smith claimed, “They didn’t want to deal with Primetime Deion Sanders.” According to him, Shedeur’s skills, stats, and performances were overshadowed by whispers in team offices about media hype, high expectations, and the strong personality of his legendary father. Smith shot down worries about Shedeur’s interviews or draft process, calling those 'non-football reasons' and accusing teams of ignoring what really matters: performance under center.
Debate Heats Up: Football Skills or Family Connections?
Not everyone at ESPN agreed with the take. Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky and veteran analyst Marcus Spears argued right back at Smith on air. Orlovsky said the league has a history of picking apart quarterback prospects with intense scrutiny. He suggested that Shedeur’s slide had much more to do with how teams graded his arm strength, game decisions, and potential compared to real needs in the NFL. Spears added that teams spend months breaking down every game clip and stat—when they drop a player, it’s rarely about outside noise.
This debate raises a timeless draft question: how much do family dynamics factor in, if at all, when franchises place millions on the line? Deion Sanders is as outspoken as ever, both defending his son and hoisting up Colorado’s profile in college football. Some teams might see that as a distraction, but others might simply think Shedeur isn’t a surefire franchise quarterback just yet.
The NFL has a history of players rising and falling in unpredictable ways. Sometimes off-field factors play a part, like concerns over maturity or off-the-cuff family involvement. Other times, it’s purely about performance, skill ceilings, and scheme fit. With Shedeur Sanders, the lines blur. Smith’s comments reignited a debate the league rarely wants to admit publicly: do well-known names face their own set of draft politics?
For fans, this isn’t just about where Shedeur lands. It’s about whether the NFL’s draft process is truly fair—or if outside influences, even a famous father, can seriously shake up a promising young quarterback’s career before he even takes his first pro snap.
