Shedeur Sanders’ hope for the NFL Draft might not match the public perception, according to one ESPN analyst.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick said in an appearance on “First Take” Wednesday that he does not want Sanders to be selected in the top three for the quarterback’s own good. Riddick then went one step further, suggesting that Sanders’ camp would also prefer that outcome.
“This young man’s going to be just fine. And you know what? I hope he doesn’t go in the top three picks. I hope he doesn’t,” Riddick said of Sanders. “And I think his camp would tell you the same thing. There are other teams they want to go to, absolutely.”
Louis Riddick on Shedeur Sanders: "This young man's going to be just fine. And you know what? I hope he doesn't go in the top three picks. I hope he doesn't. And I think his camp would tell you the same thing. There are other teams they want to go to." pic.twitter.com/KQ6HtlgZcy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 9, 2025
It is important to note that Riddick is known to be close with Deion Sanders. The two played together on the Atlanta Falcons in 1992, and Sanders publicly stumped for Riddick to land the New York Jets’ GM job this offseason, calling Riddick “knowledge & class personified.” It is not impossible that Riddick has some insider knowledge on Deion’s thinking as a result of those ties.
There may be some expectations being set here, as there have been some hints recently that Shedeur might fall past the New York Giants at No. 3 and land with another team. Perhaps that would lead to less pressure and be better for Sanders’ development.
Sanders remains a very polarizing quarterback prospect. He could still go as high as No. 3, but there are teams in the back end of the first round taking a look at him just in case.
