Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft Overview
In the age of NIL, draft prospects have become as high profile as ever. No prospect in this class has a higher profile than Shedeur Sanders.
The 2024 NFL Draft was headlined by quarterbacks, with six going in the first 12 selections. Much of the battle to draft them was the constant need at the position in this league. However, part of it was many evaluators looking ahead to 2025 and not liking what they saw. While the 2025 NFL Draft has a large number of draftable quarterbacks, many of them would not have been first-round picks in 2024. The 2025 class is full of names you have known and heard about for years. None of these players have had their name uttered on the airwaves more than Colorado signal caller Shedeur Sanders.
The Colorado Buffalos had an absolute media explosion in 2023. Whether it was college football pregame shows, celebrities on the sideline, or their very own reality show, the Buffs were everywhere. Early in the season, the substance on the field matched the hype off the field. After starting 3-0, Colorado went 1-8. One of the bright spots of a difficult season was quarterback Shedeur Sanders. While playing for his father, Sanders enjoyed a great wealth of statistical success in 2023. Sanders has many fans and haters, just like any other outspoken player. However, this is not a referendum on his maturity or outlook as a franchise quarterback. All we can tell you is what the tape says.
Jackson State sophomore quarterback Shedeur Sanders brings to the table a great combination of accuracy, timing and arm talent.
He did a tremendous job at hitting his receivers in stride in his season debut. He's got some serious potential. pic.twitter.com/UsZ2urOKCq
— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) September 5, 2022
Shedeur Sanders 2025 NFL Draft profile
Position: QB
Height: 6’2” (Unofficial)
Weight: 215 Pounds (Unofficial)
School: Colorado
Strengths
- Playmaker, constantly looking to extend plays
- When his feet are set, few quarterbacks throw a prettier deep ball
- Gets a good distance on the long ball
- Doesn’t take unnecessary risks when putting the ball in the air
- Great accuracy when pushing the ball down the field
- Sharp quarterback who understands coverages both pre and post-snap
- Excelled in high-leverage moments all season long
- Battled through one of the worst offensive lines in the Power-5
Weaknesses
- Will have bottom-10 arm strength of all starting NFL quarterbacks
- A weaker arm limits his ability to push the ball outside the numbers consistently
- Needs to know when to quit on a play and not take bad sacks
- Stays flat-footed on far too many throws
- Slender build while inviting too much contact
- Mobile, but not a runner
Projection: Late First Rounder
Bottom Line on Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders had spectacular moments in 2023. He and the Buffaloes’ offense lit the world on fire several times last season. Going into 2024, Sanders is looking to cement himself as a first-round quarterback. Sanders certainly has strengths that NFL teams are going to clamor over. He throws a beautiful deep ball and has shown the ability to create big plays escaping the pocket. Sanders also had dominant moments late in games. He was an assassin late in the fourth quarter of several games. His full-field drive to tie the game against a Colorado State team that had been fired up all game was something that several people took notice of.
This throw from Shedeur Sanders – he does such a good job of holding the safety then drops in a perfect pass pic.twitter.com/f8IHE9FnF9
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) September 3, 2023
Where Sanders makes you concerned is some of his physical traits. His arm is wildly unspectacular. If he is to thrive in the NFL with an arm of his caliber, he will have to become an assassin with accuracy and anticipation. His playstyle should mirror those of Joe Burrow or Tua Tagovailoa. Sanders struggled mightily to push the ball outside the numbers. He will be asked to do that very frequently at the next level. Secondly, he does not have the build necessary to take as many hits as he did in 2023. He will have to do better to avoid taking these bone-crushing sacks.
Main Image: Ron Chenoy – USA Today Sports
