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Mel Kiper, Jr. has been lambasted all weekend for his love and defense of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Now, after the NFL Draft, the ESPN personality heaps the ultimate praise on the team that drafted him.
In his final grades, released on Sunday, the Cleveland Browns were the only team to receive a perfect "A+" rating from the draft expert.
Kiper is praising the trade of the No. 2 selection which yielded Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham with the No. 5 overall pick, but surrendered the right to draft two-way sensation Travis Hunter.
"Hunter is the clear best player in the class in my eyes, but defensive tackle Mason Graham was third on my board. He's strong and moves really well, and he will rush the passer from the interior. Maliek Collins, Shelby Harris and Graham form a good defensive tackle rotation. But the Browns also added a lot of draft capital here, including a 2026 first-rounder.
“This is a massive part of why they earned my top grade. Jacksonville isn't exactly a playoff lock, so that could be a high pick next April," he wrote of their selection.
However, the Browns also took former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders with a fifth round selection and that was what set Kiper off and make him give the perfect grade.
"The other main reason I gave the Browns an A+ shouldn't be a surprise. They got quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 144 to finish their seven-pick draft. He was my No. 5 overall prospect in the class and clear QB1. He brings excellent accuracy, completing 74% of his throws last season. He brings toughness in the pocket. I think he will be an outstanding pro QB, and I believe we will look back on this pick in a few years and question what the rest of the NFL was doing."
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In his final grades, released on Sunday, the Cleveland Browns were the only team to receive a perfect "A+" rating from the draft expert.
Kiper is praising the trade of the No. 2 selection which yielded Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham with the No. 5 overall pick, but surrendered the right to draft two-way sensation Travis Hunter.
"Hunter is the clear best player in the class in my eyes, but defensive tackle Mason Graham was third on my board. He's strong and moves really well, and he will rush the passer from the interior. Maliek Collins, Shelby Harris and Graham form a good defensive tackle rotation. But the Browns also added a lot of draft capital here, including a 2026 first-rounder.
“This is a massive part of why they earned my top grade. Jacksonville isn't exactly a playoff lock, so that could be a high pick next April," he wrote of their selection.
However, the Browns also took former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders with a fifth round selection and that was what set Kiper off and make him give the perfect grade.
"The other main reason I gave the Browns an A+ shouldn't be a surprise. They got quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 144 to finish their seven-pick draft. He was my No. 5 overall prospect in the class and clear QB1. He brings excellent accuracy, completing 74% of his throws last season. He brings toughness in the pocket. I think he will be an outstanding pro QB, and I believe we will look back on this pick in a few years and question what the rest of the NFL was doing."
Related: NFL Draft Guru Mel Kiper Goes On Viral Rant Against Shedeur Slide
Related: Kiper Speaks Candidly About Sanders to Browns
Related: Kiper Speaks Candidly About Sanders to Browns
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