The entire sports world is talking about why Shedeur Sanders fell out of the first round and even some of the best scouts and analysts in the business are opening questioning how this could happen.
Some of the most respected men in the sports media business are truly baffled and most of us that watch the sports books knew the outcome all along. If you followed the betting lines about Sanders, you knew too.
Shedeur Sanders was once posted as even money to be the #1 overall pick, but that didn't last long. The line quickly moved to an over/under of 2 1/2. As the NFL Draft got closer and closer the number just rose and rose. It was at 6 1/2, with the assumption the Raiders would take the shot, for a few days, then rose to 8 1/2, with everyone figuring, including Mel Kiper, there was no way he would get past the Saints.
But a funny thing happened early Thursday morning Sanders number shot up across the boards of every sports book to an over under of 21 1/2. Basically, what the books were saying was that if Pittsburgh passed on him at 21, he would fall out of the 1st round, and he did. This was not a huge surprise to sports bettors and should be a lesson to tune out the talking heads and follow the sports books.
So, the question is why? Why did Sanders fall, and again is this really that confusing? Sanders fell because of a few things. During the ESPN broadcast the talking heads made it a point to say Sanders fall had nothing to do with his on the field ability. Yet, many scouts pointed to the fact he did not take snaps under center at Colorado, he ran 73% of all his plays with 4 or more receivers on the field, and barely ever ran two tight end sets. So yes, talking heads, there are on the field questions.
The main culprit here is who he is and what he brings, and that is his father. Sanders was never coached by anyone but his famous dad, so we don't know how he will respond to an outside voice. Sanders also was protected heavily and marketed even more so. Those are red flags. He is an outspoken young man and if you are putting your future on the line, is that what you want to back? But mostly it's because of his father and his influence. If young Shedeur is deemed not ready to play and has to sit the bench and learn does anyone really believe that Deion will take that quietly?
It seems the sports books used their common sense and watched the tea leaves and betting public and were proven right yet again. Sanders fell to the second round and those that watched the draft day steam made a pretty penny in the process, while the "experts" were left shaking their heads in confusion.