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ESPN’s Mel Kiper is once again coming to Shedeur Sanders’ defense.
Last year, during the NFL draft, Kiper went viral when he ripped into NFL GMs for allowing Sanders to slide into the fifth round.
“The NFL has been clueless for 50 years when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks. Clueless. They have no idea what they’re doing in terms of evaluating quarterbacks. That’s proof. There’s proof of that. They can say, ‘We know exactly what we’re talking about with quarterbacks.’ They don’t.”
Shedeur Sanders gets drafted.
Mel Kiper still furious.
What the hell is happening this year’s #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Rx34cQVg6U
— Chris Marler (@Vern_Funquist) April 26, 2025
On Wednesday, days after Sanders and the Browns played their final game of the season, Kiper went on another rant on people who have criticized the rookie QB for his performance this season.
“I don’t know what else the kid needs to do. Everything about Shedeur Sanders screams he’s the quarterback. People are gonna be like, ‘Oh, where’s he ranked?’ Forget that. Look at the interceptions that were off of Jerry Jeudy, off of Judkins’ shoulder, batted balls. When you look at what Shedeur did this year, not having any training camp, never with the 1s—defense or offense—he was thrown out there playing in brutal weather conditions.
“If you are gonna sit there and tell me you weren’t impressed with the rookie year of Shedeur Sanders, you weren’t watching the same game I was,” Mel Kiper Jr. said.
BIG Mel Kiper Jr dont play about Shedeur! He still standing on business 🗣️🗣️⌚️⌚️ pic.twitter.com/RuSkxaKHR4
— theteflondon (@theteflondon13) January 7, 2026
Fans reacted to Kiper’s latest comments on Sanders.
Whether u like sanders or not, Mel makes great points. No matter your position. https://t.co/Sp7jdr5wuL
— Mr. Dawg Pound (@Browns4Life1946) January 7, 2026
I’m convinced these guys don’t actually watch the film or maybe it’s because it’s the browns and they think we don’t deserve to be great but shedeur is not an NFL starter in any team right now and isnt close to it for every wow play he has he also has 5 horrid plays in-between https://t.co/ypJpItHjGP
— Reece Colucy (@ReeceColucy) January 7, 2026