Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson recently claimed that the NFL told teams not to draft quarterback Shedeur Sanders in an attempt to “make an example” out of him. Sanders, who was widely considered a top prospect, fell to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Speaking on the “Roggin and Rodney Show,” Dickerson stated that he received this information from a highly-connected source within the league. According to a report from NBC Sports, Dickerson said the original goal was to have Sanders not be drafted at all, sending a message to future prospects. The claim adds fuel to conspiracy theories that arose during the draft, which saw Sanders’ draft stock plummet despite a successful collegiate career.
However, other reports suggest the draft slide was based on traditional talent evaluation and concerns over Sanders’ attitude. According to a Sports Illustrated report, some scouts and executives privately questioned Sanders’ body language, interviews, and on-field decision-making during the pre-draft process. This sentiment was echoed by an unnamed NFL assistant who, according to BET, called Sanders’ interview “the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in my life.” These critiques, combined with the outspoken presence of his father, Deion Sanders, may have contributed to teams’ reluctance to draft him earlier.
Dickerson’s comments also included an assertion that the Browns were “forced” into drafting Sanders at the end of the third day after a call from an undisclosed person. According to Saturday Down South, the former Los Angeles Rams star said the Browns were not originally planning to select him. The Browns eventually took Sanders with the 144th overall pick. The NFL has not publicly commented on Dickerson’s allegations.
