Deion Sanders says NFL teams leak negative stories tank players draft stock

Coach Prime said the quiet part out loud during a recent podcast with Front Office Sports

Oct 28, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders enters the / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There have been a few untold NFL Draft stories throughout the years, and unfortunately not everyone gets treated fairly in the process. Many have widely speculated if teams have played a part in leaking negative details to have a player fall on draft boards. Not only does Deion Sanders say this is true, he went on the record about it with Front Office Sports.  

The Hall-of-Famer briefly touched on his previous comments about Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter choosing where they'll play in the NFL. Prime also explained his background on the situation and trying to pull an "Eli."  

"I even told several teams that were drafting before the Atlanta Falcons that I'm not playing. And that I'm going to play baseball, if you draft me. So, let's not think that this hasn't been done," Sanders said. "I played in the league for fourteen years and I was on television with the NFL Network and CBS for another 20 years. Therefore, I kind of know which teams there are in the NFL that are not serious about winning. And why would you want you players or your children to go to places that are not set on winning?" 

Sanders took his comments a step further by saying NFL teams hold all the cards in the situation. However, certain instances like the ones with John Elway and Eli Manning have flipped the script. He sees Shedeur and Travis as "generational" talents and they're just doing what a majority of franchises do often.   

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"It's done every year, but the teams are in control of it," Sanders stated about details being leaked to the media. 

"You have guys that are slated to go and slotted to go at this number pick. Randomly, something comes out that they flunked a drug test, or they have this type of injury... or they were seen with this and.... Wildly, their draft grade drops later in the round or even the next round. How does that happen? How does that mysteriously come out right before the draft? So, isn't that the same thing? That's even more harsh. Now, you're affecting someone's livelihood by putting a tremendous rumor on somebody that may not even be true. So, that's done every year. The reason I know that is because I've worked the draft, I think for about ten to twelve years straight. I know that to be true." 

Sanders can reference several past stories that came out before the draft in certain years. Laremy Tunsil's bong video was the most famous to happen while the pick was going to be announced, which caused him to fall. The situation with La'el Collins' ex-girlfriend that left him undrafted. Dak Prescott was arrested for DUI and later acquitted of all charges. These are just a few examples of shady stories coming out.