2 weeks Ago By Dan Treacy
Shedeur Sanders might be struggling to draw interest from NFL front offices, but he still has someone in his corner. Mel Kiper Jr. was Sanders' biggest fan even as the Colorado star slid in the first round of the draft on Thursday, singing the praises of the polarizing quarterback and putting him right there with No.
1 pick Cam Ward as one of the position's best prospects this year. Kiper was baffled by the Giants ' decision to select Jaxson Dart over Sanders, and he let viewers know about it on ABC's draft broadcast. Here's a look at what Kiper had to say about Sanders during the first round.
SN's NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Top 250 big board What did Mel Kiper Jr. say about Shedeur Sanders? Count Kiper among those who believe Sanders will prove his doubters wrong in the NFL. "Shedeur, I'm amazed right now that he's still on the board, as I was with Aaron Rodgers," Kiper said after 19 picks, adding that he believes the decision to pass on Sanders will "haunt" some teams.
Mel Kiper ahead of pick No. 20: "Shedeur (Sanders), I'm amazed right now that he's still on the board, as I was with Aaron Rodgers." #NFL #NFLDraft https://t.
co/T49wUdkVPL pic.twitter.com/e3PiRFhwZi When the Steelers were on the clock at No.
21, Kiper was defiant that Pittsburgh should make Sanders their first-round pick. "If I'm Pittsburgh, Shedeur Sanders. To pass on him at this stage, at pick 21, come on," Kiper said.
The Steelers selected DT Derrick Harmon with their pick. Kiper was also critical of the Saints for passing on Sanders with the No. 9 pick.
"I don't know what the Saints were thinking," Kiper said. New Orleans selected OT Kelvin Banks Jr. with their first choice.
Kiper started beating the drum for Sanders early in the night and became more confused as the first round went on. "I like Jaxson Dart. I love Shedeur," Kiper said after the Giants traded up to select Dart.
This isn't the first time Kiper has advocated for a quarterback during a draft night slide. The veteran draft guru passionately backed Aaron Rodgers during Rodgers' slide to the No. 24 pick in 2005, and he reminded viewers more than once Thursday night that he was right.
Kiper did not mention that he pledged in 2010 to retire in eight years if Jimmy Clausen did not become a successful NFL starter as Clausen slid into the second round. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Why did Aaron Rodgers fall in the draft? Like Rodgers, Sanders didn't slide due to any reported injury or character concerns. Teams simply weren't as sold on his potential as many believed.
Rodgers performed very well at Cal, but concerns lingered regarding how much he benefited from coach Jeff Tedford's offensive system. Quarterbacks who played under Tedford routinely posted impressive numbers in college before flaming out in the NFL. Once the 49ers passed on Rodgers to select Alex Smith with the top pick in 2005, those concerns kept teams away from the former junior college quarterback until he fell right into the Packers ' lap.
Kiper defended Rodgers during the draft night slide, even mentioning that other players have gone on to put together Hall of Fame careers after sliding further than expected. Rodgers is undoubtedly headed to Canton, so Sanders can still hold out hope that he can follow the same trajectory..
