Shedeur Sanders is the name on everyone’s lips heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and it’s not hard to see why. As the Colorado quarterback and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, he’s got the pedigree, the stats, and the spotlight. But with all the hype comes a lot of noise-some fair, some not. So, let’s cut through it and dive into what makes Sanders the buzziest player in this draft class, focusing on his game and potential as an NFL prospect.
Sanders wrapped up his 2024 season with eye-popping numbers: 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and a 74% completion rate. That’s the kind of stat line that turns heads. “He’s a highly efficient passer who thrives in structure,” notes Nate Tice in his Yahoo Sports breakdown. Sanders shines when he’s got a clean pocket, showing off a smooth release and solid decision-making. His ability to keep his eyes downfield while moving in the pocket is a big plus too-he’s not just a statue back there.
But it’s not all sunshine. One knock on Sanders is his tendency to drift backward when pressure hits. Tice points out, “It puts a real strain on his offensive tackles and can convolute the offensive operation.”
That habit made life tough behind Colorado’s shaky O-line, where he took a beating (54 sacks in 2024). Stepping up into the pocket-like the pros do-could be the key to unlocking his next level. And while he’s athletic enough to extend plays, he’s not the elite runner some expect from a Deion Sanders offspring.
Shedeur’s NFL Draft outlook: Pocket presence, arm, and more
Arm strength? It’s good, not great. Sanders leans on timing and accuracy over raw power, which works in college but might need tweaking for tighter NFL windows. “There just aren’t a lot of throws where Sanders is shortcutting his operation to throw a receiver open,” Tice adds.
He’s more of a rhythm passer than a gunslinger, and that’s okay-plenty of NFL starters thrive that way. Still, his minus-1.8 average air yards to the first-down marker (132nd among FBS QBs) raises questions about his downfield aggression.
Off the field, the chatter about his personality and Deion’s influence swirls, but let’s keep it real: NFL teams care most about the tape. Sanders’ poise in big moments-like his 9-4 season leading Colorado-shows he can handle pressure.
He’s not perfect, but the tools are there: accuracy, football IQ, and a knack for winning. Whether he’s a top-10 pick or slips a bit, Sanders’ draft stock hinges on how teams see him fitting their system. The buzz isn’t going anywhere-this kid’s got the goods to back it up.
Read the full article here
