Controversy Surrounds Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft Position: Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson Speaks Out

The Draft Dilemma

In a recent discussion on the Roggin and Rodney Show on AM 570 LA Sports, Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson made an explosive claim regarding the NFL’s treatment of quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the 2024 draft. Dickerson asserted that the league allegedly aimed to “make an example” out of Sanders by discouraging teams from selecting him.

Dickerson’s Bold Claims

According to Dickerson, who cited information from a credible source within the NFL, there was specific messaging to refrain from drafting Sanders. He stated:

“What I heard from someone that’s in the NFL is that they told [teams] don’t draft him, do not draft him. We’re going to make an example out of him.”

Sanders’ Draft Experience

Shedeur Sanders entered the draft with high expectations, having been projected as a first-round pick. Yet, he was ultimately taken by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round as the 144th overall pick. Concerns surrounding how Sanders navigated the draft process appeared to adversely affect his stock, leading to a dramatic drop in his selection position.

Involvement of NFL Officials

Dickerson elaborated further, indicating that influential figures within the league pressured the Browns to select Sanders:

“Somebody called the Cleveland Browns and said ‘don’t do that, draft him,’ because they weren’t going to draft him either… They were forced into drafting him because somebody made a call to them.”

The Implications of the NFL’s Actions

The implication of Dickerson’s statements suggests that the NFL may have intended to demonstrate the consequences of Sanders’ actions. He mentioned the possibility that the league wanted to establish:

“This is what happens when you do this.”

Pushback from NFL Insiders

While Dickerson’s remarks stirred controversy, some experts challenged his claims. Albert Breer, a journalist from Sports Illustrated, appeared on the Dan Patrick Show to dispute the notion of a conspiracy regarding Sanders’ draft position. He argued:

“I don’t think there was any conspiracy here. The great majority of NFL teams did not view him as a first-round prospect.”

The Broader Context

• Historical Trends: Breer highlighted that, historically, few quarterbacks are selected in the second or third rounds, indicating that a majority of teams had likely made their assessments based on Sanders’ performance throughout the season.
• Lack of Interest: As teams moved into the later rounds, Sanders’ prospects waned even further.

Looking Ahead

With the upcoming NFL season just around the corner, Joe Flacco is set to be the starting quarterback for the Browns. However, Shedeur Sanders is anticipated to take the field in the Browns’ preseason game this Saturday.

Key Takeaways

• Eric Dickerson’s Controversial Allegations: The Hall of Famer claims the NFL aimed to make an example of Sanders during the draft, allegedly informing teams not to select him.
• Sanders’ Unexpected Fall: Initially projected as a first-round pick, Sanders ended up being chosen in the fifth round by the Browns.
• Expert Opinions: NFL insiders, like Albert Breer, contest the conspiracy theory, attributing Sanders’ draft position to teams’ evaluations rather than league interference.

For more insights on the NFL’s draft processes and player evaluations, you can read additional analyses on ESPN and NFL.com.

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