Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders tries to escape pressure.
© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
A negative narrative has been built around Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders following his recent NFL Combine appearance. His draft stock is reportedly tanking as a result.
Despite leading the Big 12 in passing as a senior with the Buffs, doubts have emerged as to whether he can succeed at the next level. He’s now become a wildcard in terms of draft standing.
Sanders entered the offseason as one of the top two passers in the cycle alongside Cam Ward. The Miami signal caller has since leapt him in that race.
Sanders got the opportunity to speak with QB-needy teams while in Indianapolis last week. His attitude supposedly rubbed many the wrong way.
The passer’s been called “arrogant” and “brash” according to media sources. Some organizations don’t consider him to be a first-round talent. One former New York Jets scout took things a step further in his evaluation.
Daniel Kelly graded Shedeur Sanders as an undrafted free agent.
Kelly has been known for his hot take QB assessments, which include a complete annihilation of last year’s No. 1 overall choice Caleb Williams. He also went viral for naming Spencer Rattler as his top passer in the 2024 class.
In his latest eval, he ranked Sanders below Ward, Quinn Ewers, Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart, and Dillon Gabriel. He compared the QB to former first-rounder Trey Lance.
As a former NFL Scout, I have an undraftable free agent value on Shedeur Sanders’ 2024 Colorado film. That’s what his demonstrated skillset at Colorado translates to as an NFL projection. Respectfully, I don’t understand the agenda out there to push him to go first round but it’s not going to do him any favors once the regular season starts and he has to face the realities of the NFL game. I don’t get this one. He has no dominant traits on film. He has the slowest time to throw in this draft class 3.00 seconds (PFF). He’s the most sacked FBS QB the past two seasons (94) —and that was against that softer schedule at Colorado. Watching people in the media push and promote Sanders as a first-round talent is like watching Trey Lance pre-draft 2021 all over again… It’s really unfair to Shedeur and it’s setting him up to fail.
-Daniel Kelly / X: @firstroundmock
Kelly noted release time, inability to avoid pressure, and soft competition as being knocks on Shedeur Sanders. He doesn’t believe he should be drafted by any team.
Sanders’ brother, Deion Jr., quickly responded to the criticism. He’s familiar with Kelly’s schtick and believes he’s simply seeking attention.
Bro just calm yo h– a– down… we get it…
-Deion Sanders Jr. / X: @DeionSanderJr
Deion Jr. isn’t the first family member to reply to the negative headlines surrounding Shedeur. His father, Deion Sr., chimed in earlier this week. He, too, believes the criticism is undeserved. Sanders knows his son’s worth on the field.
While these recent reports suggest that Shedeur’s draft stock is slipping, it only takes one team to pull the trigger. It will be interesting to see where he winds up on Draft Day in April.