Shedeur Sanders is one of the best quarterback prospects in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, though he’s certainly had his fair share of ups and downs in the pre-draft process.
It wasn’t long ago that he was being talked about as a competitor with Miami (FL)’s Cam Ward for the right to be the draft’s No. 1 overall pick. Now, he’s putting out fires stemming from overblown dramas about his throwing habits.
Shedeur Sanders Defends Viral Throwing Mechanics
Appearing on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams,” Sanders was asked about the ball-patting controversy that stemmed from his pro day.
“I think me patting has gotten me this far. I think patting the ball has gotten me to the position where I am now. So, I don’t see what’s wrong. … They always move the goalposts for me, so that’s why, mentally, you gotta be tough with everything,” Sanders told host Kay Adams.
Shedeur Sanders on the "patting the ball" debate.@heykayadams | @ShedeurSanders pic.twitter.com/qhL72cQ51x
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 10, 2025
Sanders could be seen patting the ball before every pass attempt at Colorado’s Pro Day, “giving away” when he intended to throw the ball and to whom the pass was intended for.
It stirred up a lot of drama online, with certain NFL defenders arguing that Sanders can’t succeed at the next level with the habit, while others came to his defense, noting that plenty of elite quarterbacks have “patted the ball” in the past.
https://t.co/ed32D2UNuD pic.twitter.com/vkIwVAqVam
— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) April 6, 2025
Sanders is coming off a dominant season, leading the Big 12 in completion rate (74.0%), passing yards (4,134), and passing touchdowns (37). He’d be a dynamic addition for any team looking for a franchise QB.
It’s hard to imagine him slipping all the way down to No. 21, though perceptions of him have been changing recently. In PFSN’s most recent seven-round mock draft, Sanders is projected to fall all the way to the second round. Juxtapose that with another recent two-round mock draft where Sanders is slotted in at No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints, and you have many possible outcomes for the Colorado product on draft night.
In PFSN’s scouting report on the QB, the 23-year-old is commended for his toughness and accuracy from the pocket, as well as his ability to make plays on the fly. However, Jacob Infante does warn of his lackluster throwing velocity and tendency to hang onto the ball too long.
“Shedeur Sanders’ arm, though acceptable, isn’t particularly special. He’s not a statue in the pocket, but his athleticism is average. These issues can see him try too hard to extend plays that he simply can’t make, resulting in sacks or poor throws,” Infante explains.
“Compared to the quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, I would argue Shedeur Sanders would come in seventh as a prospect, ranking behind each of the six quarterbacks selected in the first round. This might make him more of a Day 2 talent, but the 2025 NFL Draft has a severe lack of high-end quarterback value.”
Assuming teams aren’t scared off by his throwing habits, Sanders should be one of the first quarterbacks selected in the upcoming draft. In all likelihood, this controversy will die down, and he’ll be one of the first 10 players who hears their name called.