Former NFL player/executive and current ESPN analyst Louis Riddick is close with Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and raised eyebrows when he suggested during Wednesday’s edition of “First Take” that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son, doesn’t want to be drafted by the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns or New York Giants.
Riddick later expanded on his original comments during a chat with Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
“In some respects,” Riddick said, “there are other teams that I hope [Shedeur Sanders] goes to, that I think would be good fits for him. I do feel that way.”
Specifically, Riddick said he thinks the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders would be “very good fits for” Shedeur.
In March, Deion poured cold water over the idea that Shedeur only wanted to play for certain clubs. However, that was before Shedeur lacked “elite traits” during his pro day workout and before reports indicated that the Titans, Browns and Giants will go in different directions.
Just about every insider now expects that Tennessee will take Miami’s Cam Ward, the consensus top quarterback in this year’s class, with the draft’s first choice. The Browns seemingly have Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter and Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter ranked higher than Shedeur on their draft board. The Giants reportedly aren’t “in love with” Shedeur enough to take him at No. 3.
“I think (Saints coach) Kellen Moore would be a great fit for [Shedeur] and what they’re trying to get done in New Orleans,” Riddick continued, “and I think that would be a place that he’d thrive at in that part of the country.”
While the Sanders family has a relationship
with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, many believe Vegas will address a different position with the draft’s sixth selection. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. thinks the Saints would take Shedeur at No. 9, while others have predicted the polarizing prospect will fall to the Steelers at the 21st overall pick.
“He knows the deal,” Riddick added about Deion. “He knows that every kid, every parent wants to be drafted as high as possible, but sometimes if you do slide — and I’m not saying that he is or isn’t, I don’t know what’s going to happen — but if he does slide, it’s not the end of the world. It could wind up being better for you. That’s the point.”
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is among those who feel a team “will trade up into the teens to get” Shedeur if he drops that far in the draft order. It sounds like the Sanders family is already sending “come get me” messages to certain clubs regarding Shedeur’s first NFL home.
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