Stephen A. Smith ROASTS Dillon Gabriel After Browns Make Shedeur Sanders FIRST TEAM Quarterback!

In a fiery episode of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith delivered a scorching roast of Dillon Gabriel, and more importantly, he stoked the flames of a growing NFL story that has taken the sports world by storm. That story? Shedeur Sanders, the fifth-round pick who may just be the next face of the Cleveland Browns — and possibly the NFL.

This moment marked not only the apex of Smith’s own fiery rhetoric, but it signified something even bigger. A new generation of quarterbacks may be entering the league, and Shedeur Sanders is leading the charge.

The Fall of Sanders’ Draft Stock — And Why It Stings

Let’s rewind to draft night. The NFL world was shocked as Shedeur Sanders — widely expected to go in the first round, or at least within the first few picks of the second — plummeted into the fifth round. Analysts had repeatedly compared Sanders’ talents to quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Cam Newton, emphasizing his unique combination of accuracy, swagger, and football IQ. Yet, despite all the hype, Sanders slid like a rock sinking in water, with quarterbacks like Jackson Dart, Cam Ward, and Jalen Milroe being selected ahead of him.

The situation raised questions: Was it his father, Deion Sanders, that scared NFL scouts? Or was it something more archaic, such as outdated stereotypes or even politics? With no injury history, no off-field drama, and a proven track record under extreme duress at Colorado, there were no apparent reasons for his fall.

In fact, Sanders had been pummeled with 94 sacks over the past two seasons — and still delivered elite-level play. The Browns, however, were one of the few teams that saw something the others did not. Cleveland’s gamble in choosing Sanders in the fifth round may have been more calculated than anyone realized.

Stephen A. Smith Takes Aim at Critics

Once the Browns officially selected Sanders, the media frenzy began. But it was Stephen A. Smith who took the lead in hyping up the young quarterback. Smith, always unflinching in his opinions, immediately took to ESPN to tear into those who doubted Sanders’ abilities.

“You said he couldn’t handle the pros,” Smith thundered. “You said he was too green, too hyped, just a name. Let me tell you something. This brother is different. This brother is special.” Smith’s words were powerful, drawing the attention of fans and analysts alike, and signaling that Shedeur Sanders wasn’t just a “project” for the Browns — he was the future.

Smith praised Sanders for his poise, his athleticism, and his ability to take punishment while still making plays. As Smith passionately pointed out, “He only got sacked once, but he was running for his life half the time.” These words had weight. The talk was no longer about potential — it was about performance, and Sanders had already begun proving the doubters wrong.

Sanders’ Play on the Field Speaks for Itself

What followed was a media blitz as Sanders proved that his confidence wasn’t misplaced. Reports from training camp soon emerged, describing Sanders’ stunning debut. When the young quarterback took his first reps on the practice field, the ball practically sailed through the air with precision. His first throw was a laser across the middle that left veterans shaking their heads. From that moment, the whispers from inside the Browns’ camp grew louder.

During closed scrimmages, Sanders completed seven out of nine passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Analysts and reporters couldn’t ignore it. “It wasn’t rookie potential,” one commentator remarked. “It was straight-up domination.” Even the defensive players at practice had to admit that Sanders was a problem. A defensive back even confessed off-record that guarding against Sanders felt like “chasing shadows.”

But it wasn’t just the numbers. Sanders brought a presence. His poise under pressure and calm demeanor in the pocket — qualities that made it seem like he’d been in the NFL for years — started to draw comparisons to franchise quarterbacks.

The “Prime Effect” and the Media Frenzy

There’s an undeniable force behind Sanders that is as much about his family legacy as it is about his football abilities. His father, Deion Sanders, is not just a football icon — he is a brand. Deion has transformed the world of college football and brought unprecedented attention to programs at Jackson State and Colorado. Now, his son was about to do the same in the NFL. The “Prime Effect,” as it’s called, is a mixture of celebrity status, media dominance, and unparalleled confidence.

For Shedeur, the spotlight isn’t something new; it’s where he’s comfortable. His poise in interviews, his ability to handle criticism with ease, and his already-established brand identity make him a media sensation. What happens on the field becomes bigger than just the game; it’s part of a national narrative that fans and analysts across the country can’t ignore. As a result, every throw, every play, every soundbite he gives only amplifies the story around him.

The AFC North Reacts: Fear or Respect?

The ripple effect of Shedeur Sanders’ ascension was felt beyond Cleveland. As reports of his success in camp reached rival teams in the AFC North, panic set in. Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals could no longer ignore the threat that the Browns had potentially unearthed a franchise quarterback.

In Pittsburgh, Steelers fans flooded message boards, furious that their team had passed on Sanders. Some even lamented that Mike Tomlin could have molded Sanders into a star. In Baltimore, the Ravens’ fanbase began to question whether Lamar Jackson’s dominance could be challenged by a rookie. Even in Cincinnati, Bengals fans secretly acknowledged that if Sanders lived up to the hype, they might have to face the most dangerous quarterback in the division — and the media machine that comes with him.

The Big Question: Is Sanders the Future of the NFL?

The real test for Shedeur Sanders will be what he does on the field when the regular season starts. Will he live up to the hype? Or is this just another overblown media circus? The stakes are high for both Sanders and the Browns, who have long suffered from the “quarterback curse.” For a franchise that’s seen its fair share of QB disasters, the hope is that Sanders could be the one to change the narrative — not just for Cleveland, but for the entire NFL.

If he succeeds, it could set a precedent for a new kind of quarterback. No longer will raw talent alone be enough to win over franchises. The combination of athleticism, leadership, and marketability will be just as crucial. The game is changing, and Sanders is the prototype for this new wave of quarterbacks.

Cleveland may have taken a risk on Shedeur Sanders, but if the hype is anything to go by, the gamble is starting to look like a calculated stroke of genius. The question now isn’t whether Sanders will succeed — it’s whether the rest of the league will be able to keep up with the revolution he’s starting.

As Stephen A. Smith said, “This brother is special.” And whether or not the NFL is ready for it, Shedeur Sanders is about to prove just how much of a game-changer he can be. Buckle up, because the ride is just beginning.