Stephen A. Smith Criticizes NFL for Shedeur Sanders' Draft Snub

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith fiercely criticized the NFL after Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, once projected as a first-round pick, remained undrafted through the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Smith drew parallels between Sanders’ situation and Colin Kaepernick's NFL exclusion, suggesting teams might be biased against Sanders because of his father, Deion Sanders. Despite Sanders' impressive college stats and high-profile status, five other quarterbacks were selected ahead of him, fueling debate over the reasons for his draft slide. Analysts like Mel Kiper Jr. expressed shock at Sanders' fall, while reports surfaced that negative pre-draft interviews, including an anonymous coach labeling Sanders as 'entitled,' may have contributed. Other factors discussed include Sanders' public criticism of his offensive line and his choice to skip the NFL combine, although no single reason has been definitively identified. The controversy highlights a mix of outstanding collegiate performance, off-field perceptions, and broader questions about fairness in the draft process.