Mel Kiper Jr., a well-known name in the world of NFL draft analysis, is facing some strong criticism from Pittsburgh Steelers fans. The reason? What was supposed to be a segment discussing the Steelers’ draft needs somehow turned into a showcase about Shedeur Sanders, and fans weren’t happy about it.
The ESPN analyst recently appeared on a segment to break down the upcoming draft outlook for various NFL teams. When it was time to focus on the Steelers, instead of talking directly about their pressing roster issues or upcoming strategies, Kiper shifted gears and spent a good chunk of the time talking about Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This detour didn’t sit well with the Pittsburgh fan base, who felt like their team’s analysis was brushed aside for what seemed like a Shedeur Sanders highlight reel.
To be clear, Shedeur Sanders is a talented college quarterback and the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. He’s expected to be one of the top names in the 2025 NFL Draft. But the Steelers already have their quarterback in Kenny Pickett, and fans were expecting Kiper to discuss ways to strengthen the team around him. Instead, the spotlight was taken away and placed on a player who’s not even in this year’s draft class—and who has nothing to do with Pittsburgh’s current roster planning.
This isn’t the first time Kiper has been called out for veering off-topic. But in this case, many viewers saw it as disrespectful—not just to the team, but to the fans who wanted honest and focused draft coverage. The Steelers are a franchise with a passionate and loyal following, and fans want analysts to give them the same depth of coverage they offer for other major teams.
Social media platforms quickly lit up with criticism after the segment aired. Steelers fans took to X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit to call out what they viewed as unnecessary “Shedeur Sanders hype” during what should’ve been a serious evaluation of Pittsburgh’s offseason outlook. Some even questioned whether ESPN is pushing a media narrative around Sanders at the expense of more balanced reporting.
To make things worse, Kiper didn’t just mention Sanders once—he spent a sizable portion of his analysis talking about his potential, his performance at Colorado, and how teams like Pittsburgh could be a landing spot. This led to speculation that the analyst was more focused on selling a storyline than giving a genuine breakdown of team strategy.
Kiper is known for his bold takes and in-depth scouting, and no one doubts his experience. But moments like this tend to leave fans frustrated, especially when their teams are going through big changes and are looking for clarity from experts. Right now, Pittsburgh is in a phase where they need to sharpen both their offense and defense. They’ve made moves in free agency, and the draft is crucial for building depth and long-term success. The last thing fans want is for that conversation to be hijacked.
At the end of the day, Shedeur Sanders will have his moment in the draft spotlight—likely in 2025. But this year, it’s about the teams and players who are on the board now. Kiper’s decision to turn the Steelers’ segment into a Shedeur Sanders showcase not only felt out of place but also came off as tone-deaf to fans eager to hear serious analysis about their team’s future.
Whether or not Mel Kiper Jr. will publicly address the criticism is yet to be seen. But for many Steelers fans, an apology—or at least an acknowledgment—feels warranted. After all, every team deserves focused, fair, and relevant coverage, especially during one of the most important times of the year for team-building.
