Stephen A. Smith compares Shedeur Sanders’s draft slide to Colin Kaepernick saga

Stephen A. Smith has been as big of supporter as Shedeur Sanders as nearly any other personality in sports media. From the beginning of last season, he has praised the quarterback on “First Take,” and he believed that Sanders should hear his name early in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

So it was a complete shock for Smith when Sanders went Thursday without hearing his name called in the first round. As surprising as that was, it was even more stunning on Friday night as Sanders again didn’t hear his name called in Round 2 and toward the end of Round 3.

Not only could Smith not believe what he was seeing, but he was also angry. He voiced his frustrations on social media, comparing the situation to that of Colin Kaepernick.

“This is a damn disgrace,” Smith posted on X. “How in the hell is? Shedeur not off the board, not drafted yet. Y’all still think this doesn’t have anything to do with teams hatin on. This kid is a first rounder. In a different way, this is Kaepernick all over again… being kept out. A damn disgrace. I don’t care what anyone says!”

While it became apparent pretty early that Cam Ward was going to be picked by the Tennessee Titans, there were many people who thought Sanders could hear his name very early. However, his drop through the NFL Draft is one of the most shocking stories in recent draft history.

There are many people at ESPN and in the NFL media world who are upset and shocked with his fall in the draft. First Take will be back on Monday, and Smith surely will have more to say on the topic.

Mark Kern