Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. A few national analysts like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt furiously defended Sanders, claiming the NFL was simply making an example out of him due to his famous father,

The NFL draft averaged 7.5 million viewers per day for the three-day event, making it the second-most watched draft ever, while Day 3 set a record high.

Shedeur Sanders’ drop in the NFL draft led to record ratings for the final day. Saturday’s telecast of rounds four through seven — Sanders was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round — was the most-watched on record.