After a season filled with intense scrutiny, Shedeur Sanders finds his name in the spotlight heading into the 2025 NFL Draft season. Despite being labeled the top quarterback in this draft class, recent performances have caused some analysts to reconsider his value as a first-round selection. While the buzz around Sanders—thanks in part to his lineage as the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders—remains palpable, those teams in need of a franchise quarterback may want to take a more measured approach.
As we look at potential landing spots for Sanders, teams like the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, and New Orleans Saints loom large. All these franchises find themselves in search of a signal-caller to lead their respective offenses, but there’s a compelling argument that drafting Sanders in the first round may not yield the immediate impact they’re hoping for.
Sanders has put up impressive numbers during his time at Colorado, racking up over 4,100 passing yards and throwing 37 touchdowns in a challenging season. However, his performance also raises concerns that could affect his draft stock. One glaring issue is his tendency to hold on to the ball for too long, leading to a notable pressure-to-sack rate of 20.9% over the past four seasons. Although a shaky offensive line has played a role in this, it also underscores a potential lack of awareness in the pocket.
Adding to this complexity is Sanders’ athleticism, or lack thereof, when pressure comes crashing down. He has demonstrated the ability to escape and throw on the run, but these moments have been sporadic, not a reliable feature of his game. A quarterback vying for a top draft position needs to display a stronger instinct for navigating the pocket, particularly when facing defenses that can apply pressure quickly and effectively—something Sanders struggled with in high-stakes matchups like the one against BYU’s formidable defense.
Perhaps even more concerning is the perception that Sanders might have reached his collegiate ceiling. Stability in his play is admirable, but the lack of marked improvement during his final season raises valid questions about his development. The nuances of decision-making, which are critical at the next level, are areas where Sanders could improve. At times, he relies heavily on his precision and accuracy, which, while impressive when he has time, could prove problematic against faster, tighter NFL defenses.
His accuracy often leads to success in a clean pocket, but once teams adapt and pressure mounts, these strengths can become weaknesses. A snapshot of his last college game further illustrates this point; despite completing nearly 70% of his passes, Sanders managed a mere 208 yards, tossing two touchdowns alongside two interceptions and finishing with negative rushing yards.
In summary, while Shedeur Sanders shows promise as a capable quarterback and could settle into a role as a solid performer in the NFL, the evidence suggests he may not be the franchise player that teams in the top 10 desperately need. His ceiling might be that of a steady starter rather than a game-changer, which will give teams ample reason to think twice before spending a first-round pick on him.
