NFL legend Eric Dickerson just added another log to the already full fire of conspiracy theories as to how former Colorado quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, who was a consensus top-five pick in the 2025 draft, fell all the way to the fifth round.

According to the Hall of Fame running back, NFL teams were told not to draft Sanders. 

“The NFL told teams, ‘Do not draft him. We’re gonna make an example out of him,’” Dickerson said, The Sporting News reports. “This came from a very good source. A very good source. And he said somebody called the Cleveland Browns and said, ‘Don’t do that. Don’t draft him.’”

Sanders was taken with the 144th pick by the Cleveland Browns. The conspiracy theories immediately began as many couldn’t understand how such a talented quarterback, who was mentored by Tom Brady, slid all the way to the fifth round. Many believe Sanders' epic fall had a lot to do with his father’s brash attitude both on and off the field. Some believe that Sanders wasn’t taken after anonymous reports from an NFL assistant were leaked right before the draft.

The unnamed coach told NFL Media that Sanders was "the worst formal interview I've ever been in in my life”, CBS Sports reports.  “He's so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates. ... But the biggest thing is, he's not that good."

No matter what you believe, there were not 143 players better than Sanders in the draft. And despite being taken by the Browns with their last pick, Sanders has been unable to move up the depth chart despite a stellar showing in his one and only preseason game. 

In Sanders' first NFL preseason start on August 8, 2025, against the Carolina Panthers, Sanders threw for 138 yards and completed 14 of 23 passes and two touchdowns. 

However, the Sporting News notes that if Dickerson’s sources are correct and the NFL conspired to keep Sanders from being drafted, they could be looking at an investigation.