Stephen A. Smith Slams Shedeur Sanders' NFL Draft Slide as 'Appalling'

Shedeur Sanders, once hyped as a potential top NFL Draft pick, is now at the center of a whirlwind as rumors swirl about his stock plummeting ahead of Thursday's big night. Multiple reports hint that Sanders might not even hear his name in the first round—a far cry from the early buzz around him.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith didn't mince words, calling the idea of Sanders dropping out of the first round "appalling." On "First Take," Smith questioned, "What the hell is the precipitous drop all about?" He pointed to Sanders' accuracy, poise, and, yes, his football pedigree, all of which should have ensured him a top spot. Smith was clearly rattled by the possibility that Sanders could slip to the second round, saying, "I find this very appalling and very alarming and very disturbing."

Sanders' stats certainly paint the picture of a star: he led the Big 12 with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdown passes, earning the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year title. In 50 college games, he racked up a jaw-dropping 14,347 yards, 134 touchdowns, and just 27 interceptions. Not exactly numbers you'd expect to scare off NFL teams.

But recent weeks have been rough for Sanders, as questions about his character and leadership have bubbled to the surface. An anonymous NFL coach didn't hold back in an interview, calling Sanders "the worst formal interview I've ever been in in my life," and rattling off a laundry list of complaints—from being "entitled" to blaming teammates and taking unnecessary sacks. Another AFC executive chimed in, saying, "He wants to dictate what he's going to do and what's best for him. He makes you feel small."

Despite the criticism, Sanders stayed unfazed on social media ahead of the draft, declaring, "Legendary." He followed up with, "I’m built for whatever today may bring." If confidence was a draft stat, he'd be a first-round lock. But in the NFL, it seems, swagger only gets you so far.