Mel Kiper Jr. Still Seething About Shedeur Sanders Draft Position; Accuses Browns Of Mismanagement

Longtime ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has never been shy about sharing his opinions, and his latest target is the Cleveland Browns. Kiper recently directed sharp criticism at the organization regarding its handling of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, questioning both their draft strategy and their ability to develop talent at the league’s most important position.

Mel Kiper Jr.’s Critique: “Organizations Ruin Quarterbacks”

Shedeur Sanders, once considered a potential top-five pick, surprisingly fell to the fifth round of the NFL Draft, where the Browns selected him. Kiper, who had Sanders as the number one quarterback on his board, is still baffled by the slide and critical of how Cleveland has managed him since. “To me, organizations ruin quarterbacks,” Kiper stated, pointing a finger directly at the Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski. “I had Shedeur, the No. 1 QB on my board last year. What happened? Nothing happened…they don’t want him.”

Kiper’s comments suggest that Sanders’ situation is not an indictment of his talent but rather a symptom of a dysfunctional environment. He believes the Browns’ commitment to starter Dillon Gabriel, whom he called “Stefanski’s guy,” has left Sanders on the sidelines without a genuine opportunity to compete or develop, despite his high potential coming out of college.

Cleveland’s Troubled Quarterback History

Kiper’s claim is bolstered by the Browns’ long and well-documented history of struggles at the quarterback position. The franchise has cycled through more than 40 different starting quarterbacks since the turn of the century, failing to find a consistent, long-term solution. The most recent example Kiper points to is Baker Mayfield, a former No. 1 overall pick who was traded by the Browns after a few inconsistent seasons. Mayfield is now thriving with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is part of the MVP conversation, adding another name to the list of quarterbacks who have found success after leaving Cleveland.

This history creates a challenging narrative for Sanders. He began the season as the third-string quarterback and has seen little action, even as the offense has struggled. The Browns’ decision to stick with Gabriel, despite the team’s lackluster offensive performance, seems to validate Kiper’s assertion that the organization is not invested in Sanders’ development.

What’s Next for Sanders?

For now, Shedeur Sanders’ professional career is in a holding pattern. He remains on the bench, waiting for an opportunity that may or may not come in Cleveland. Kiper’s public criticism puts a spotlight on the Browns’ player development process and adds pressure on the organization to either give Sanders a legitimate chance or risk being proven right.

Sanders’ journey will be closely watched. Whether he eventually gets his shot in Cleveland or has to follow the path of players like Mayfield to find success elsewhere will ultimately determine if Kiper’s bold claim was a premature critique or a prophetic warning about a promising career caught in a difficult situation.