In this edition of the Defector Funbag, a discussion centers around the outdated insight of Mel Kiper in NFL draft analysis. A letter critiques his year-after-year insistence on his evaluation prowess, especially regarding player Shedeur Sanders, whom newer analytics clearly ranked lower due to various concerning factors. It underscores the importance of modern analytical approaches to player evaluation, arguing that Kiper's opinions often misalign with how teams genuinely assess talent, especially in quarterback picks, suggesting that he should reconsider his ongoing role in the discourse.
As Matthew Coller noted, the vast majority of top-tier NFL starting QBs were drafted in the first or second round. Sometimes teams whiff on taking a QB that high, because that's the nature of things. But they rarely let future stars fall too far, which is why Brock Purdy was as newsworthy a surprise as he was.
Anyone who knows a lick of football knew it, too. So when Mel Kiper, the guy who once pushed for Jimmy Clausen as a potential franchise savior, is like NFL teams have never evaluated quarterbacks as well as I have!, he's telling on himself.
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