Why Is Shedeur Sanders' Stock Falling?

That doesn’t necessarily mean the rumors are true, or that Cleveland is among the teams taking him off the board. But the likelihood of him falling fairly deep into the first round seems more likely than ever – even if it’s not his fault.

ESPN draft analyst Louis Riddick revealed the reason for the Browns’ target’s declining stock. .. a “smear campaign” if you will.

“People have been at this game… trying to talk certain prospects down for years,” Riddick said on "The Dan Patrick Show." “Deion (Sanders) is a lightning rod. That’s where it starts — it doesn’t even start with Shedeur, this starts with his father and then it just trickles down to him.

“It’s been that way since I played with Deion back in 1992… People don’t like flashy guys like that who can back it up. They just don’t… With Deion, he’s always been a polarizing player to the people who don’t know him… With Shedeur, he has some of his father in him, there’s no question. How could he not? He’s the man’s son.”

The issue of Deion Sanders on Shedeur’s stock is multifaceted. Some are concerned that Coach Prime will steer his son to and away from particular teams and be an unnecessary distraction. Others are happy that the quarterback has spent some time in the spotlight.

Elsewhere, a portion of fans feel Shedeur’s stock is boosted by his Hall of Fame father. Why else would a passer with non-elite tools and a knack for taking sacks be taken so high? On the other hand, as Riddick states, Deion Sanders’ high profile is a sin his son ends up paying for.

It’s impossible to divorce the prospect from his father, so it’s best to focus solely on the film.

There are certainly things to like. He’s accurate, poised, flashes out of structure, and seems to be a strong decision maker who will limit turnovers at the next level. However, he may struggle to find answers without incredible tools, and if one is overestimating Sanders’ intangible prowess, his profile quickly becomes less desirable.

Ultimately, Sanders’ lack of upside is reason enough for his stock to slip – even if it ultimately gets blamed on more rudimentary factors.