Deion Sanders’ son Shedeur Sanders took a surprising turn on his NFL draft path. Though he played a stellar college career with the University of Colorado, he ended up going undrafted in the first round. So the Cleveland Browns selected him in the fifth round. The signing became a point of intense contention between fans and sports analysts. Thousands of individuals took to social media to express their anger and disappointment. They claimed Sanders was the victim of an NFL conspiracy, and this story has taken on a life of its own.
Fans took to social media, including Reddit and online publications, to argue that Sanders’ drop in the draft was undeserved. They cited his stellar college stats and upside as part of the argument that he should have been selected much sooner. As the experts we consulted asserted, it’s not that simple. It’s much worse than simple bias. Quincy Avery, a noted quarterback guru, critiqued the perception surrounding Sanders’ draft scenario, emphasizing that such claims often lack a deeper understanding of NFL evaluations.
It’s hard to overstate just how significant NFL’s recent years showing of Black quarterbacks has been. Over the last three drafts, teams have averaged selecting just seven Black quarterbacks total in the first round. Plus, Black QBs have taken over the Super Bowl, winning each of the last three MVPs. It should be noted that they have claimed two of the last three Associated Press MVP awards. Moreover, they won the past two AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Avery highlighted this trend, stating that “Black quarterbacks are getting more opportunities than ever before.”
Yet even with these developments, Sanders was left on the sidelines by club after club on first day. Analysts argue that he failed to appear on enough of the franchises’ “must-haves” lists. That series of oversights was instrumental in his fall to the fifth round. Avery noted that “with the draft, it really comes down to whether the juice is worth the squeeze for these teams,” suggesting that teams weigh players’ potential against perceived risks.
Jason Reid, one of the most prominent African American sports commentators, further countered claims of racial bias regarding Sanders’ draft experience. He went on to explain how Sanders’ experience had nothing to do with racism. He contended that the situation for Black quarterbacks is light years beyond what it was. Reid pointed out that Cam Ward’s selection by the Tennessee Titans as the first overall pick further highlights this shift.
Avery further elaborated on the broader context: “For Black people to say these things … it’s so frustrating. When it’s actually a case of race where white people should be listening, they too often miss the point. Without that connection, it distorts how those issues are valued and comprehended. He consistently challenged us not to conflate personal circumstances with structural realities. Most critics won’t possess the requisite psychic ability to properly judge just how much teams under-reward their players.
Avery revisited historical drafts to shine a light on stars such as Cam Newton. During the 2011 NFL draft, Newton was unfairly scrutinized as a player, as many saw him as disingenuous and egotistical. In much the same way, Caleb Williams faced backlash for his emotional outbursts and self-expressive acts in college. These types of stories can warp our expectations for rookie quarterbacks stepping into the NFL.
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