Mel Kiper Jr. began ESPN’s coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night by claiming Shedeur Sanders was “the talk of the draft” and the No. 1 quarterback on his board. Kiper said Sanders was “outstanding” in his 2 seasons at Colorado but just didn’t get much help.
When the draft officially opened and the Tennessee Titans went on the clock, everyone in the world knew Miami quarterback Cam Ward would be the No. 1 pick. Kiper, instead, talked about Sanders.
Kiper claimed Sanders would be a “perfect” fit for the New Orleans Saints with the No. 9 pick, never mind the fact that the Saints owe Derek Carr $40 million in 2025. New Orleans selected an offensive tackle.
When the Denver Broncos went on the clock with the 20th pick, Kiper said he was “amazed” Sanders was still on the board. When the Pittsburgh Steelers went on the clock with the 21st pick, Kiper talked about Sanders right up until the organization announced it had taken a defensive tackle.
And even while ESPN showed Derrick Harmon rejoicing with his family after becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick, Kiper insisted on bringing up Sanders.
With the Los Angeles Chargers on the clock at pick No. 22, Kiper began comparing Sanders to a long list of esteemed quarterbacks — Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Kurt Warner, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady, among others.
Thirty-two players were selected on Thursday night.
Sanders, whom Kiper claimed was the fifth-best prospect in the entire class, was not selected.
The attention paid to Sanders wasn’t a surprise. The Colorado quarterback with the world-famous father has been in the spotlight throughout his football career and figured to be one of the biggest storylines of the draft, regardless of when he was taken.
But Kiper’s infatuation with Sanders struck many throughout the night as odd. Some even thought it was embarrassing.
Warren Sharp compiled a 9-minute cut-up of Kiper talking about Sanders all throughout the draft and shared it on social media Friday morning. And, no, the 9-minute cut-up was not a comprehensive review of every Sanders mention. Sharp left some of them out.
Mel Kiper was angry last nightinstead of celebrating 32 kids seeing their dreams fulfilled… he tried to turn the whole production into a show about Shedeur Sanders not getting selectedhere’s 9 minutes of Mel’s agenda taking over the night (and this wasn’t even everything) pic.twitter.com/CxCkvlHeH7
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 25, 2025But this certainly wasn’t the first time Kiper hitched his cart to a single horse on draft night. He famously said he was “done” and “out” if Jimmy Clausen, who spent just 3 years in the NFL and went 1-13 as a starting quarterback, was not a successful quarterback.
Still, fans and media members alike weren’t happy with Kiper’s decision to frame the first round around Sanders. Social media was ablaze with some viral, NSFW tweets about the production. Below, you’ll find some PG-rated commentary on the evening.
ESPN actually missed this moment live because they were showing us Shedeur highlights. t.co/XbaUQODEs7
— Two Tone Talk (@twotone_podcast) April 25, 2025The fact that Mel Kiper’s evaluation of Shedeur Sanders was demonstrably way off compared to the NFL’s evaluation of him shouldn’t be story 1A or 1B every time a different player gets drafted. This has been an insane way to frame this draft, in my opinion.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) April 25, 2025*now have Mel Kiper hype up Shedeur Sanders again* pic.twitter.com/EDk08QCqAO
— Dylan Holt (@DylanHolt_) April 25, 2025Mel Kiper after every pick in the 1st Round because it doesn’t involve Shedeur Sanders pic.twitter.com/zjGl2WiFxz
— Cutter Whitley (@iamcutterbutter) April 25, 2025Mel Kiper seems to be personally offended that Shedeur Sanders hasn't been drafted yet.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 25, 2025I’m embarrassed for Mel Kiper right now lol. This man has compared Sheduer to Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady. He’s about to have an aneurysm over the Dart pick
— Ian Fontenot (@IanFonteneaux) April 25, 2025Mel Kiper embarrassed himself tonight
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) April 25, 2025Need a wellness check on Mel Kiper. The only person madder right now about Shedeur not being picked is his dad.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) April 25, 2025NFL Draft 2025: Mel Kiper slammed for first-round obsession with Shedeur Sanders Saturday Down South.
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