As the 2025 NFL Draft looms, Shedeur Sanders – Colorado’s headline-making quarterback and son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders – finds himself under an intense spotlight.
Once viewed as a potential top-three pick, the 22-year-old signal-caller now faces increasing skepticism from scouts and executives across the league. Despite his standout 2024 season, draft analysts remain split on whether Sanders is a surefire first-round talent or a risky investment.
Shedeur Sanders Keeps Cool While Critics Circle Ahead of Draft
While six high-level personnel evaluators recently spoke to ESPN about Sanders’ prospects, only two considered him worthy of a first-round selection. One NFC scout compared him to Teddy Bridgewater, noting that Sanders is “a fringe starter who makes good decisions” but lacks the tools to elevate a team into serious contention.
Another evaluator from the AFC warned that picking Sanders inside the top 10 would be a gamble they couldn’t justify, citing concerns about his size, athleticism, and decision-making under pressure.
Yet Sanders’ production on the field tells a different story. In 2024, he completed 74 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, adding four scores on the ground.
He was awarded the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, a testament to his consistency and command as a senior quarterback. Even with his strong numbers, critics continue to focus on perceived flaws, such as his habit of patting the ball before throws, a motion some argue could tip off defenders at the next level.
That particular critique gained traction after Jets safety Andre Cisco posted a pointed comment on social media: “Boy better stop patting that ball, we breakin onnat earlyyyy.” The post ignited debate among fans and analysts, but major draft voices like Mel Kiper have dismissed the issue as overblown.
Sanders, for his part, appears unfazed. When asked about the growing wave of criticism during an interview with NFL insider Ian Rapoport, he simply laughed it off.
“I feel like we’re gonna just start. It’s just funny to see what they come up with next. You know, because at first it was the arm wasn’t strong. I had a lot of touchdowns in my entire career. Then it was, I patted the ball.
“So I don’t get in trouble off the field, so it’s kind of hard from the career storyline for the media to keep that algorithm going. So it’s just gonna be fun with the next story,” he said.
Despite skipping on-field workouts at the NFL Combine and opting out of the East-West Shrine Bowl, Sanders stayed in Indianapolis to support teammates, a gesture that some teams appreciated.
Still, unnamed scouts have circulated rumors of arrogance and “antics” during interviews, fueling talk of a potential draft-day slide.
Yet with Colorado’s Pro Day drawing significant attention, especially from the New York Giants, who sent 14 representatives, there’s no shortage of interest in the polarizing quarterback. Whether he hears his name called early or watches others go ahead of him, Sanders seems more than ready for whatever the draft has in store.