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Sheduer Sanders’ unexpected fall from a projected choice of first round to a choice of fifth round was the most polarizing topic from last week’s NFL draft.
Long -year ESPN -Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
Shortly after Sanders’ name came out of the board, Kiper detached on the NFL franchises, which led to a clash between him and his colleague received Davis.
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ESPN “COLLEGE GAMEDAY” host received Davis under Rose Bowl between Penn State Nittany Lions and Utah Use January 2, 2023, in Pasadena, California. (RIC TAPIA/ICON SPORTSWIRE Via Getty Images)
Kiper said the NFL had been “clueless” for five decades evaluation of quarterbacks. Kiper appeared further confused because of his faith, Sanders is “one of the toughest quarterbacks you’ve ever seen.”
NFL analyst Louis Riddick then explained to Kiper that the question was not about Sanders could play quarterback, but from a team perspective about a team wanted him. Davis agreed with Riddick, who added, “The draft has spoken.”
On-Air Spat triggered questions about whether a level of animosity existed between Davis and Kiper. But during a recent appearance on Outkick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich”, the ESPN “College Gameday” made it clear that he doesn’t have a problem with his colleague.
Shedeur Sanders boldly reveals target as a member of Browns
Davis acknowledged that the job, Kiper, is tasked with being a draft analyst.
ESPN -Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. During the 2011 NFL draft in Radio City Music Hall in New York City April 28, 2011. (Howard Smith/USA Today Sports)
“First of all, and I don’t do the thing that Pete Thamel accuses me of where I say two things that are neat about someone and then offer a criticism or something,” Davis told Dakich. “But the reason there was … regardless of the number (of fans) was in Detroit the previous year is largely due to what flour has done for the draft.
“And Mel’s job is to make his location of the players and defend them. And I didn’t mind him disagreement, and I don’t mind saying something he would say when we’re there. But I thought that as a group, the part we overlooked was the old Occam’s Razor philosophy – the most likely explanation of something is probably correct. We don’t know for sure.”
A screen shows Colorado -quarterback rinse Sanders after he was selected by Cleveland Browns with the 144th gathering election during the third day of the NFL draft April 26, 2025 in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Davis then pointed to Sanders’ widely investigated handling of the prior drag process and argued that it could have played a role in Quarterback’s fall.
“But it was almost certain that at that time in the draft, something had happened in the process of prerequisite that involved Shedur Sanders, which prevented teams from taking him,” Davis added. “Now I think it’s a reasonable debate if you say he’s not a top 5 quarterback on tape at this point.
“I’m not sure it’s fair that he’s not a guy in the first or second round. It seems a little unreasonable to me. So if you go beyond that, probably something else happened. And my only point was that I didn’t think we gave the right credibility.”
Davis said his relationship with Kiper was in a good place and he enjoys working with him.
“That’s fine. I didn’t even know there was a problem until I started getting lyrics like you said,” he said. “It’s a kind of part and package of what we do. Sometimes, to the analyst’s own best and for the benefit of the show, you challenge their position. Mel is great. I love working with flour. And he is the reason for the draft is what it is, in my opinion.”
Shortly after Browns chose Sanders on the draft last day, he went to social media to share a short but emotional message: “Thank you God.”
Sanders ended the 2024 season in Colorado with 4,134 passing yards. He joins a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland with Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel.
