Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock slide is becoming one of the hottest topics just two weeks ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Once considered the consensus No. 2 quarterback in the class, his Colorado Pro Day has shaken up that narrative. Now, he might be more of a top-20 pick than a top-10 lock.
Sanders’ arm talent was called into question following his Pro Day workout, with some analysts saying it isn’t elite. That prompted NFL analyst Dane Brugler to suggest Sanders could fall into the late 20s in the first round — or possibly be rated even lower across the league.
Dane Brugler’s Brutal Assessment of Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Future
Quarterbacks always dominate the spotlight in the draft, and Round 1 usually reflects that. Last year, six of the top 12 picks were quarterbacks. As Brugler put it, “Teams are going to roll the dice on quarterbacks.”
In Sanders’ case, though, that gamble may not come until after the top 10.
“And with a guy like Shedeur, there’s a lot to like. He’s smart, he’s tough, he’s poised, he’s accurate — not quite as accurate as maybe 74% completions would suggest. Twenty-eight percent of his completions were screen passes,” Brugler said, pointing out both the strengths and the inflated efficiency numbers from Sanders’ final season.
Even more concerning, Brugler said he doesn’t see Sanders becoming one of the league’s elite quarterbacks any time soon.
“So as a general quarterback, the way he likes to play — does he have the physical traits to make that happen at the next level? I think Shedeur can start in the NFL, but I’m not convinced that he can be a top-12 to top-14 quarterback in the NFL.”
Brugler emphasized that teams typically expect first-round quarterbacks to have the upside to become elite.
Will he go 2nd or fall out of the Top 10?
We discussed Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Stock with @TheAthleticNFL analyst two weeks before Green Bay:#NFL #NFLDraft @TomPelissero pic.twitter.com/7095AZtfPk
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 9, 2025
“You have to ask yourself, if you’re an NFL team, is he going to help us reach the playoffs and elevate the offense around him? Or is he going to need a strong support system to really get us there?”
The recent drop in Sanders’ stock has opened the door for new possibilities. He could land at No. 21 with the Pittsburgh Steelers — or at No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints, which could now be his ceiling.
There’s also a chance, according to Pro Football Network, that the Cleveland Browns — once linked to Sanders at No. 2 — could still decide to take a quarterback. Whatever happens, Sanders’ destination remains one of the draft’s biggest mysteries.