Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders’s alleged draft stock has taken numerous hits after he reportedly “hit the wrong notes” in interviews with some teams during the NFL Scouting Combine and after he lacked “elite traits” during his pro day workout on April 4.
During an appearance on NFL Network’s “The Insiders” program, Sanders made no apologies for being himself while meeting with teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers during the draft process.
“When I go visit these coaches and when I go to all these different franchises, I ask them truly what I think and how I feel,” Sanders explained, as NFL.com’s Nick Shook shared. “Some get offended, some like it, some don’t. Make some people uncomfortable, some people invite that. They know what type of person and what type of player they’re gonna get out of me, so I just have to make sure, you know, what type of culture or what type of dynamic I’m going to have with them also.”
Most reporters now believe the Tennessee Titans have decided to make Miami’s Cam Ward the draft’s first pick. It also appears the Cleveland Browns (pick No. 2) and New York Giants (No. 3) will pass on Sanders. If he remains on the board after the New Orleans Saints spend the ninth overall choice, he could fall into the 20s of the draft order unless a club trades up to land his services.
The perception exists that Sanders lacks ideal arm strength for the pros and may be little more than a “fringe starter who makes good decisions and does some good things but won’t get you over the top.” He’s heard these takes and sounds eager to respond to them with his play as soon as this fall.
“It’s just funny to see what they come up with next,” Sanders added during the show segment. “At first, it was that his arm wasn’t strong — I had a lot of touchdowns in my college career. Then it was I pat the ball — that wasn’t a thing before pro day. So, I don’t get in trouble off the field, so it’s kind of hard for them to create storylines for the media. Keep that [energy] going, though. It’s just gonna be fun with the next story.”
It seems unlikely Sanders will get past the Steelers at pick No. 21, even if they sign Aaron Rodgers at some point before or after the draft. It’s far too early to say how much, if at all, Sanders will play as a rookie, but he’ll be looking to prove doubters wrong whenever he gets an opportunity.
