The 2025 NFL draft had ruffled feathers. A top pick in the draft took an unexpected fall, which saw the reactions from many, including the New York Giants’ Malik Nabers. This caused a stir among netizens. Quite big enough to reach the NBA world as well, with Carmelo Anthony expressing his take. After all, it involves the NFL legend Deion Sanders’ son, Shedeur Sanders. However, before defending Coach Prime and his son amidst the chaos, the NBA legend had a crucial take on the 23-year-old.

Young Sanders was hyped as one of the top two quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Shockingly, the 23-year-old slid down as his name wasn’t called out among the 32 picks at Lambeau Field. He was back at home in Texas with his father to watch the draft. Quarterback Cam Ward was selected by the Tennessee Titans, while the Jacksonville Jaguars chose Travis Hunter. He was ultimately chosen in the fifth round.

During the latest segment of the podcast, the former NBA player discussed the 2025 NFL Draft. The host, Kid Mero, asked the NBA legend and Nabers about the New York Giants’ pick and whether it could have been Shedeur. 

Melo had a surprising response. Speaking of the Giants, the New York Knicks legend added that he would decide with business in mind. He said that the team already had Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the roster, and they might not need the young star on the team.

“We got Russ, we got Jameis, we got two veteran quarterbacks. We still got a great quarterback in Russell Wilson who can get s— done. He’s a winning quarterback. We got young talent around that. We don’t want to bring Shadeur in to wait. He’s not going to want to wait, he wants to go and play right now,” he said on the podcast. 

He added that if he were the general manager of the team, he would have drafted Abdul Carter, as it would make sense both positionally and strategically. “If I’m in that situation as a GM and it’s football, I don’t really I can’t sit there and say too much about football being a GM, but logic’s in business. If I have the opportunity to draft Shadeur or draft Abdul Carter with have already having Russ and Jameis, I’m going to draft Abdul Carter,” Melo declared.

Carter was selected as the third pick by the New York Giants. However, Melo was upset about how Sanders fell to the fifth round. 

Carmelo Anthony defended Coach Prime and his family

Shedeur was selected as the No. 144 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns. The 23-year-old falling to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft was shocking to the Knicks legend, since the quarterback had a strong final collegiate year. He had elite efficiency, throwing for 4,134 yards with 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and completing an NCAA-leading 74.0% of his passes. 

No wonder there was much hype around the NFL legend’s son. Several NFL experts and analysts also held the same opinion. But as we know, things didn’t turn out as expected. During the same podcast, Melo expressed his disappointment, seemingly taking a shot at the franchises. 

The Knicks legend argued that Shedeur should have never slid down to the fifth round. “It’s the dark side of sports. Where this is an attack on Prime in a sense,” Melo said. He added that Sanders has always done things right. Nabers had a similar take defending Shedeur.  

Melo further added, “You can’t go from being he’s one of the two picks — he’s No. 1 or No. 2 pick — to just falling off the draft board. That’s a lot of conversations. That’s a lot of s—. That’s a lot of phone calls, ‘Yo, don’t take him. ’ Now, they want to make it about his interviews. Like, get the f— outta here.” 

However, young Sanders’ selection by the Cleveland Browns might be an unexpected gift. As Melo suggested, Sanders wants to play, and it might be easier for him to win the starting position on this team than on others. It remains to be seen how it all plays out.