Overview
At first of final 12 months’s school soccer season, many NFL specialists had predicted Shedeur Sanders to be picked first general in final week’s draft. Nevertheless, minimize to at this time, and the 23-year-old quarterback was picked 144th within the fifth spherical by the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders’ draft inventory could have fallen barely all through final season, with some specialists arguing he takes too many pointless sacks, in addition to missing top-level arm power, however he was nonetheless a consensus first-round decide.
Some mock drafts had him going as excessive as quantity three to the New York Giants, and lots of had the Pittsburgh Steelers taking him at 21. Both of those outcomes would have had Sanders because the second quarterback to be drafted, however ultimately, he wasn’t even the primary quarterback drafted by his group. The query is, what induced this unprecedented slide?
As said, there have been some issues over his means, however he had proven sufficient high quality to cement himself as at the least one of many three most proficient quarterbacks on this 12 months’s draft class. The principle points groups appear to have with Sanders is all off-field.
Questions Over Angle
Final month a member of NFL workers spoke on Sanders’ time at a pre-draft scouting mix. They said that he got here throughout as “brash and boastful” and through his interviews appeared “unprofessional and disinterested.”
Moreover, it was not too long ago reported by the Ringer that Sanders had a foul personal exercise and subsequent assembly with the New York Giants, clashing with Head Coach Brian Daboll. The report states that the previous Colorado QB got here into the assembly unprepared, and when referred to as out on it, responded in a method that offended the Giants’ coach.
Lastly, an nameless assistant coach mentioned that their assembly with Sanders was the “worst formal interview” he had ever been a part of. This similar assistant additionally voiced concern over the QB’s historical past of blaming his teammates, significantly his offensive line, after losses.
One other drawback usually cited is Shedeur’s father, NFL Corridor of Famer Deion Sanders. The previous Dallas Cowboys defensive again has not solely been a dad or mum but additionally Shedeur’s school head coach and agent. This opened up two points with NFL entrance workplaces: Firstly, it may very well be argued that Deion’s type of play at Colorado was designed to guard and improve his son’s notion.
Moreover, Deion has a fame for being vocal together with his opinion. Now, once you’re extensively considered the best cornerback ever to grace the game, this will work; nevertheless, NFL executives questioned whether or not having Sander’s father probably questioning group choices can be price it for a participant of Shedeur’s means.
The NFL’s Drawback with Black QB’s
However, Sanders’ supporters argue that that is simply one other instance of the NFL displaying bias in direction of a selected kind of black quarterback. Traditionally, there was a well known reluctance from NFL groups to make use of a black quarterback.
This has improved in latest seasons with this 12 months’s primary decide, Cam Ward, being an instance. Nevertheless, group homeowners and executives are nonetheless reluctant to take possibilities on black QB’s they view as too ‘in your face’. You want look no additional than the best way Colin Kaepernick was hounded out of the league.
So, while his critics name Sanders boastful and abrasive, others would argue that that is one other instance of the league being offended by a assured and outspoken younger black man.
What the Future Holds
General, this complete saga has, if something, added intrigue to the brand new Cleveland Browns quarterback. He’s undeniably a really proficient participant by way of his high quality on the sphere and goes right into a group the place the beginning spot is up for grabs.
The query remaining is whether or not groups have been proper to go on this high-potential prospect within the NFL draft resulting from off-field questions, or have they only added gas to the hearth of a future prime QB?
