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Shedeur Sanders endured a surprising slide within the NFL draft. Whereas most specialists anticipated that he can be the second quarterback chosen after Miami standout Cam Ward, Sanders’ freefall grew to become actual after the Pittsburgh Steelers handed on him with the twenty first general decide again on Day 1.

Followers and analysts alike have been shocked by Sanders’ fall, which was lastly ended when the Cleveland Browns chosen the quarterback within the fifth spherical with the 144th general decide. Nevertheless, the Browns had handed on Sanders a number of instances, even opting to draft QB Dillon Gabriel as an alternative with the No. 94 decide.

Stephen A. Smith had some ideas to share on Sanders’ surprising tumble because the First Take host believes the league colluded towards the previous Colorado quarterback. “We haven’t seen something like [Sanders’ slide]. And once you’re speaking in regards to the homeowners… It appears very Kaepernick-like, as in Colin Kaepernick,” Smith famous on his official X account.

Stephen A. Smith took concern with the NFL after Shedeur Sanders’ draft drop

“Shedeur Sanders is just not innocent right here. ‘Prime Time’ Deion Sanders is just not innocent right here. I’m going to say what I’ve to say figuring out that each of them have their palms at the least a little bit soiled in all of this. However should you’re the Nationwide Soccer League, clearly it’s not about expertise anymore. It’s about one thing else.

“And I’m gonna let you know I spent a considerable amount of the final 24 hours eager about nothing greater than I used to be eager about collusion. As a result of how within the hell does 32 groups within the Nationwide Soccer League cross on a quarterback that was universally acknowledged as one of many high three quarterbacks within the nation coming into this draft and 32 groups handed on him not as soon as, not twice, not thrice however 4 completely different instances they handed on him. How the hell does that occur? 4 rounds! “ Smith mentioned.

“We’ve by no means seen something like this earlier than. We’ve seen guys drop due to accidents. We’ve seen guys drop due to off-field points. However we’ve by no means seen a quarterback projected to be a high 20 decide, universally acknowledged as one of many high three quarterbacks within the draft. Projected to be a primary rounder… and drop actually to the fifth spherical. We haven’t seen something like that,” he added.

Analysts making an attempt to elucidate Sanders’ draft dive additionally concluded that the autumn wasn’t associated to his capability as a participant. However slightly than league-wide collusion, NFL Community’s Joel Klatt theorized, “It’s character. It’s match with a corporation. It’s a gathering that didn’t go the suitable method.”