Shedeur Sanders has quickly made an impact in the NFL since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns.
As a rookie, he earned a starting role and displayed impressive poise under pressure, leading his team to multiple fourth-quarter comeback victories.
Despite his strong performance, the story of Sanders’ draft-day slide has sparked debate.
Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson suggested that external factors beyond on-field performance may have played a role. Speaking on the “Roggin and Rodney Show,” Dickerson said a “very, very good source” informed him that NFL teams were told not to draft Sanders.
“The NFL told [teams] don’t draft him. We’re going to make an example out of him,” he recalled. He added that Sanders was initially expected to go undrafted entirely.
Dickerson further explained that the Cleveland Browns only selected Sanders after facing outside pressure.
“Somebody called the Cleveland Browns and said, ‘Don’t do that, draft him,’” he said, suggesting the team’s pick was a response to directives rather than part of its original strategy.
These claims reflect broader patterns of league influence in team decisions. Following the Browns’ fully guaranteed contract for quarterback Deshaun Watson, the NFL Management Council reportedly advised other franchises to avoid similar agreements.
Some analysts have pointed out that Sanders approached the pre-draft process differently from most prospects, treating it more like a recruiting experience than a conventional job interview. That approach may have contributed to teams’ hesitations.
The NFL has not publicly addressed these allegations.
