Why Shedeur Sanders will still be a successful Quarterback in the NFL!

Professional sports is one of the biggest "what have you done for me lately?" industries on the face of the Earth. When someone plays well, you're the cream of the crop, and everyone wants a piece of you. When someone struggles badly, it's viewed as the end of the world as we know it, even if your credentials and pedigree precede you. Overreactions also drive conversations and dialogue.

Right now, with the NFL Draft a few days away, one question being asked after the 2025 NFL Draft Combine is whether Colorado's quarterback Shedeur Sanders is a legitimate first-round quarterback prospect. Despite a historic season in which he threw for an incredible 37 passing touchdowns (2nd in the nation) to only 10 interceptions on a blistering 74.0 completion percentage (1st in the country) with a ridiculous 4,134 passing yards (4th in the country) and a 168.2 QBR rating (5th in the country), winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for the top quarterback.

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Despite being the Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year, there might not be a more nitpicked and "polarizing" prospect in this 2025 class and predraft process than Sanders. The two factors currently working against Sanders are his final collegiate performance in Colorado's 36-14 loss to BYU in the Alamo Bowl and the fact that the 2025 quarterback class is not regarded as highly as the 2024 class.

Sanders had a standard day on paper, tossing two passing touchdowns and 208 passing yards on a 69.6 % completion percentage. However, he threw two interceptions and was sacked four times. When analyzing Sanders' film vs. BYU, it is clear that there is obvious discomfort throughout the game.

The offensive line (their biggest Achilles heel offensively) was metaphorically out to lunch all day and could not withstand the pressures being brought on by a very physical and consistent 13th-ranked defense in the entire nation; 11th in total yards allowed, 13th in points allowed per game, 23rd in passing yards allowed, 20th in passing yards allowed per game, 37th in rushing yards allowed, 33rd in rushing yards allowed per game, 16th in total points allowed, and 18th in points allowed per game.

The unit was led by team captain Tyler Batty, a senior defensive end who was an All-Big 12 First Team Selection with 59 tackles (33 solo and 26 assisted; good for 3rd on the team), 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, and an All-Big 12 Second Team selection and Jim Thorpe award.

Semifinalist Jakob Robinson, a senior cornerback with 43 tackles (28 solo and 15 assisted; good for 7th on the team) and a team-leading three interceptions, brought a variety of 4-man rush, linebacker, and safety blitzes. He applied constant pressure on the inside of the gap to bully Colorado in the trenches, even with them primarily operating out of the shotgun formation.

Credit to defensive coordinator Jay Hill for calling a great defensive game plan (17 different schemes within the first 20 plays) that prevented Sanders and the Buffaloes' passing game from establishing any offensive rhythm, despite initial appearances. They were picking up momentum at the top of the second quarter when Colorado had their best drive until Sanders' 23-yard sack and Mata's missed field goal left them empty-handed.

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Colorado struggled all year on the ground and only produced two rushing yards all game. Colorado's defense played well through the air, allowing only 151 passing yards and making three interceptions. Still, BYU's rushing attack bullied them in the trenches all game, allowing 180 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.

Some of Sanders' most significant flaws include holding onto the ball too long, taking too many sacks due to drifting in the pocket, and opting for the hero play instead of taking the "layup" throw or check-down. His lack of a "rocket" arm, which causes a dip in velocity on some of his throws when he's at an off-platform or off one foot, was glaringly apparent all game.

His timing with his best friend, the projected top 3-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the all-world two-way cornerback and wide receiver phenomenon, Heisman Trophy, and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year [Travis Hunter], was off even with BYU playing press coverage on Hunter, leading the Buffaloes with four catches, 106 receiving yards, and a touchdown.

Yet by all accounts, Sanders is still a first-round prospect and can become a high-level starter for any team he plays with, especially if he gets with a coach who can properly coax his bad habits out of him. He has the most refined pocket passing fundamentals and throwing delivery of any quarterback prospect in this 2025 draft class. While he does not possess a "rocket" arm, he can make every throw possible, and I'd go as far as to say he throws the most beautiful ball of his class, especially when he gets his feet set.

Touchdown throws like his iconic play of the year candidate 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown off his left side to Buffaloes' second leading receiver LaJohntay Webster in regulation to force overtime vs. Baylor in week 4, his fade-route touchdown to Shephard for a jaw-dropping one-handed catch vs. Texas Tech in week 9, and his contested drop in the bucket-fly route touchdown to Travis Hunter vs. Oklahoma State in week 12 are perfect showings of his significant right arm talent on display.

He threw 134 passing touchdowns in his collegiate career, with 64 alone in his two seasons in Boulder. While not the all-word athlete like his father, legendary NFL Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado Buffaloes Head Coach, Deion Sanders, he uses his legs well enough (17 career rushing touchdowns) to directs traffic, keeps his eyes downfield and puts the ball only where his receivers can get it while on the run. He's a good enough size at 6 feet 2 and 212 pounds to handle the rigors of the NFL game. He is incredibly calm in the pocket, processing his reads as he progresses.

He exhibits immense confidence in his arm and throws the ball deep often despite not possessing a howitzer. His most underrated skill is his ability to thread the needle on his throws with a clean pocket. Sanders is the perfect ensemble of confidence, precision, and timing. He completes 81% of his throws on passes from a clean pocket (1st in Draft Class), 70% on-target rate on throws 10+ yards downfield (2nd in Draft Class), and 48% of his passes came without help via design (no play action, motion, RPO or screens on play) (1st in Draft Class) on those many attempts without help: 70% comp, 10.6 YPA, and 10% TD rate.

He's brilliant with the ball, rarely turning it over (career 27 interceptions), in his entire collegiate career. He has won 72% of his games, with 36 wins and 14 losses, and was an integral part of the Buffaloes' record improvement from 1-11 before his arrival to 4-7 in 2023 and 9-4 in 2024. The moment is never too big for him. He's a fighter out there, constantly bouncing right up after being knocked over.

In the 2023 season, he led three game-winning drives, including two in the final seconds of regulation/overtime. He was the only quarterback in the FBS as a junior with more than six touchdowns and no interceptions in the fourth quarter while leading the nation in third-down conversions.

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Watching his film from his time at Jackson State from 2021-2022 to 2023-2024 at Colorado, you can see the year-by-year growth, improvement, refinement, and polish in Sanders' game. When I watch Shedeur, I see Geno Smith, a more pocket-esque Donovan McNabb, less rocket-armed Matt Stafford, Matt Ryan (I see a lot in his game), Deshaun Watson, and Joe Burrow (if he puts it all together).

Matt Hasselbeck, a more-aggressive Teddy Bridgewater, a taller Brock Purdy, and shades of Warren Moon all in 1. His floor ranges from a good Pro Bowl quarterback to an MVP/MVP candidate level. I believe Sanders has day-one starting ability, and a quarterback-needy team like the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers could draft him early or trade up.

The Giants, in particular, have shown much interest in Sanders all year. General Manager Joe Schoen was asked about Shedeur at the Shrine Bowl: "He's a great kid. He's a great kid. Outstanding personality. Football smart. Dad's a football coach. It's a little bit cliche, but he checks all the boxes of a dad that's a football coach, and the passion with which he approaches the game. It was good getting the meeting. He's had an excellent career in Colorado, and obviously, I look forward to getting to know all those guys the rest of the process."

Shedeur wore a pair of custom-made Giants cleats before the Alamo Bowl game vs. BYU. To add more fuel to the fire, he was even filmed playing catch in New York City before the Heisman Trophy ceremony with a friend, current Giants star receiver Malik Nabers, who enjoyed a record-breaking Rookie of the Year finalist and Pro Bowl year despite catching passes from four different quarterbacks in 2024.

He raved about Shedeur when asked about him and University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward:

"I've been watching him a long time, he has another crazy arm talent. He gives his guys that opportunity to make plays. He's not scared. From what I heard in that locker room, he wants to win, and he's a leader. He's a great leader, so I have nothing bad to say about either. They're pretty good. I see them competing against each other when I see the clips of them, and they want to be the best."

There aren't many players who can handle the pressure and scrutiny of being under the spotlight of one of the largest media markets in the world, yet a quarterback with the pedigree and talent of Shedeur Sanders is absolutely the exception. He would be must-see TV in New York. With talented young players like Nabers, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Wandale Robinson, and Theo Johnson on offense to go along with one of the best defensive lines in football, Shedeur could be just what the doctor ordered to restore the feeling in the Big Apple. Yet, after the recent offseason acquisitions of veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston (who have a combined 11 Pro Bowl selections), it is unclear what the Giants will do about addressing the position long-term, as both Wilson and Winston are over 30 (36 and 31, respectively). Yet they could still draft Sanders and bring him along slowly, with two experienced veterans to learn from, until they deem him ready to start. This is because both Wilson and Winston are on short-term deals (one year and two years, respectively).

The two franchises that were not initially in talks or discussions to draft Sanders, which recently emerged, couldn't be more polar opposite yet in similar situations: the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Saints currently hold the #9 pick and may lose their current starting quarterback, Derek Carr, for the season due to a shoulder injury. Carr is a bridge quarterback/stopgap option and is reportedly unhappy in New Orleans. Current backup and 2024 5th round draft selection Spencer Rattler had an up-and-down rookie season, showing flashes of the elite arm strength and arm talent he showed while at the University of Oklahoma and the University of South Carolina, breaking the franchise record for passing yards as a rookie, 1,317. But Rattler only threw four touchdowns to five interceptions and went 0-6 in the 6 games he started. Granted, the Saints were one of the most injured teams last season, with one of the league's worst offensive lines, and lost many of their offensive playmakers early in the season so it's difficult to assess how far Rattler's talent can go properly.

The Saints have an entirely new coaching staff, with first-year head coach Kellen Moore, fresh off his dominant Super Bowl victory as offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, at the helm. Often, with a new coaching regime, a new quarterback is part of the transition. Currently, the Saints have the highest statistical probability of selecting Sanders, and given they haven't been to the playoffs since their previous franchise quarterback, future NFL Hall of Famer, Drew Brees, retired in 2020, a change of this magnitude could be imminent as they are beset with the league's worst cap space situation. After a terrible 5-12 season in 2024, their worse record since 2005, the season prior to them signing Brees, with one of the league's shakiest offenses, they can no longer neglect the quarterback position.

They haven't drafted a quarterback in the first round since 1971 with the selection of Archie Manning, ironically. Perhaps that changes on Thursday. Sanders would join a team with talented players when healthy, like wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, and tight ends Juwan Johnson and Foster Morreau, along with one of the greatest multipurpose running backs of the last decade in five-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara, which might potentially be too tantalizing to pass up for Coach Moore and new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, who was the quarterback's coach in Philadelphia.

The Steelers hold the #21st pick and are far from a dark-horse possibility to select Sanders. Coach Mike Tomlin has known Shedeur his whole life through his father, Coach Sanders but he recently met with Shedeur and raved about his toughness and his intangibles displayed on tape. Shedeur himself greatly enjoyed his visit to Pittsburgh, remarking that Coach Tomlin's personality and coaching style are similar to those of Coach Sanders. While appearing on the Up & Adams show, he was quoted as saying "I enjoyed my time here in Pittsburgh. I think I connected well with all the coaches and it was real fun,". As someone who is a true student of the game, Shedeur definitely respects the legacy and impact of playing for one of the historic blue-blood NFL teams and the NFL's most winningest franchise record-wise.

Despite the Steelers enjoying yet another productive winning campaign (10-7) under Coach Tomlin, they have struggled mightily on the offensive side since the retirement of former franchise quarterback and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger in 2021. They attempted to address the position in 2022 with the 1st round selection of the University of Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett, the first time doing so since the selection of Roethlisberger in 2004, but he struggled mightily and only lasted two seasons before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. This past season, they attempted a two-quarterback system of sorts, featuring former 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields, acquired in a trade from the Chicago Bears, and veteran Russell Wilson. Both quarterbacks had a high impact at various points of the season. Fields led them to a 4-2 record thanks to improved accuracy and his dynamic rushing ability, and Wilson led them to a 6-5 record and the future Hall of Famer showed he still has more in the tank, earning his 10th Pro Bowl selection, and adding an explosive downfield passing element lacking early in the season. Yet the Steelers ended their season on a four-game losing streak, and neither of these guys is on the present-day roster, as Fields signed with the New York Jets in the offseason and Wilson with the New York Giants.

Sanders' only competition, if selected, would be longtime backup Mason Rudolph, career backup Skylar Thompson, and potentially four-time NFL MVP and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, whose career status remains uncertain. Still, General Manager Omar Khan was quoted as saying, "Right now, we have two on the roster. All options are on the table on how we acquire those last two. I assure you we'll have four when we get to Latrobe (for training camp)." Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith runs a heavy play-action and downfield attack on offense, which Sanders has ample experience in throughout his collegiate career.

The Steelers made a rare big spalsh this offseason acquiring two time Pro Bowler DK Metcalf in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks, Metcalf who is one of the most physically imposing downfield threats at receiver at 6'4 230 lbs and explosive (4.3 40 time), has recorded at least 900 receiving yards in six seasons so far. Metcalf, alongside the equally physically imposing (6'3 200 lbs) and explosive (4.4 40 time) but erratic jumpball receiver George Pickens, will form a potentially very dominant duo on the outside along with speedy slot receiver Calvin Austin and reliable, sure-handed tight end Pat Freiermuth. They will have to figure out if Jaylen Warren is the bellcow running back after losing Pro Bowl running back Najee Harris in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. Sanders would be the eighth quarterback selected in the first round by the Steelers and bring a new, charismatic big-city swagger to an offense, ranked 23rd this past season looking to recapture its glory days during the Roethlisberger years.

However, another big-city market team seems to be in the running to draft Shedeur. Currently, Shedeur is being mentored by the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady. Brady is now a partial owner for the Las Vegas Raiders, and there's been much talk all year about Sanders ending up in Las Vegas with their pick #7. The Raiders recently acquired Geno Smith for a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft (pick #92) from the Seattle Seahawks.

At 35, Smith is unlikely to be the quarterback of the future, but he would serve as a great bridge quarterback. Smith revitalized his career in Seattle, becoming a two-time Pro Bowler and the Comeback Player of the Year in 2022, throwing 76 touchdowns to 36 interceptions for a 97.3 passer rating and a 68.3% completion percentage in 4 years with Hall of Fame Coach Pete Carroll.

Regarding Carroll's impactful coaching, Smith said, "He helped me change the way I spoke to myself." Intense coaching of that caliber is a game-changer for a quarterback's development. Smith could be an excellent mentor and role model for a young quarterback like Sanders until the Raiders develop their offensive linemen and weapons core. In the meantime, Carroll would find a way to get Sanders spot duty reps and eventually replicate his success with Smith and Russell Wilson as quarterbacks.

Unfortunately, it appears that the recent chatter dominating the dialogue around Shedeur Sanders's stock "slipping" is connected to external factors beyond his control. A slew of alleged "quarterback coaches/scouts" have concocted a narrative that Sanders has come across as brash and arrogant during the pre-draft process. The legendary Jadakiss said it best while featured on the iconic 2004 Ja Rule hit record "New York" alongside Fat Joe, "And I'm not cocky, I'm confident, so when you tell me I'm the best, it's a compliment."

Is Shedeur Sanders confident? 100% absolutely; as the youngest son of one of the most confident superstar athletes to ever play sports, he's a chip off the old block in terms of confidence. Deion Sanders once famously stated, "If you don't believe in yourself, how will somebody else believe in you?" It's clear as day that Shedeur is rooted in these same principal teachings within his foundation, as he told the media during the Combine: "You don't think I can come to an NFL franchise and change a program again? It's history; we done it again. It's always gonna repeat itself."

For a young man who has had many doubters and detractors going back to when he came up first in high school as a three-star recruit to then as an HBCU athlete at Jackson State (only 22 active players from HBCUs in the NFL actively), Shedeur has dramatically risen to the occasion at every location he's been. As with many young star athletes today, they are capitalizing on the ability to control their image and destiny, rather than being exploited by the NCAA or their universities through NIL. Shedeur himself is one of the most successful NIL athletes, currently earning $6.5 million, which is second only to Arch Manning. He also donates back to his Colorado teammates.

Yet make no mistake, his ultimate competitive streak and desire to be great is what drives him. Josina Anderson best encapsulated Shedeur's personality: "Sanders appeared to go out of his way to acknowledge multiple media members, regardless of whether they were recognizable or not. He seemed cordial, polite, witty, thoughtful, along with being confident (as many athletes are)."

When asked about going #1, Sanders said, "Why would I be mad? These are good problems to have. You could be in a way worse situation. Being no. 1 doesn't really matter to me; it's all about the fit." As with any 23-year-old young man in a unique position like he is, he has much room to grow exponentially into the star role of a franchise quarterback. And given his experience & background, he has a good head on his shoulders, and there should be little to no questioning of his character.

Throughout the last few years, Coach Sanders has publicly said he won't let the wrong team draft his son, but he recently said he won't interfere with the Browns if they plan to draft Shedeur at #2, which has caused much of the vitriol to be still geared toward Shedeur in his process. Amidst the uproar, it becomes clear that he has been mentally prepared for the business by his Father, who operates from an old-school, ruling-class mentality.

Coach Sanders himself famously told the New York Giants in the 1989 Draft not to select him, and he would play baseball if drafted because they were picking too low (18th). He did not want to take the prerequisite exam that they had tried to have draft prospects take beforehand, and his gamble and risk paid off for him.

Deion Sanders emerged as one of the greatest cornerbacks and one of the greatest football players and iconic athletes of all time. Shedeur knows what's at stake, legacy-wise, carrying the Sanders name. Famously, 21 years ago, Archie Manning, father of the legendary Peyton and Eli Manning and grandfather to Arch Manning, told the Chargers that if they drafted Eli in the 2004 draft with the 1st pick, Eli would refuse to play.

This was motivated by Archie reaching out to Ryan Leaf, the former Chargers quarterback and Peyton's 1998 draft classmate, who stated that the Chargers did nothing to help him with his struggles with addiction. Leaf emerged as arguably the most notable and infamous draft bust, but organizational fit can never be downplayed. The Chargers still drafted Eli and traded him to the Giants for the eventual long-term starting quarterback, Phillip Rivers, and the rest is history.

Yet, to this day, Archie has been praised for being a proactive parent, while Coach Sanders has been lambasted and criticized. Shedeur was asked about his Father's invested proactivity in his career: "I didn't know your parents being involved and wanting the best for you was a problem." A racial element is at play that cannot be ignored in the dialogue surrounding Coach Sanders, a black head coach, and Shedeur, a black quarterback.

Shedeur himself is incredibly aware of this dynamic and even was quoted in an interview with his older brother and teammate Shilo Sanders, conducted by one of the most iconic black quarterbacks of the early 2010s era: Robert Griffin III on his "Outta Pocket With RGIII" podcast .

"I just accept the reality with everything, and just not just being his son, just being an African American Quarterback. That’s a double whammy right there because we both have different flashes of him in how we are as people. I’m more into cars, jewelry, and the flashy stuff, but that persona you may see that’s not really who I am. I’m just a normal guy, I just like nice things. Some people can take that offensively, though. Then being an African American Quarterback, it’s not many that do that, it’s a strict narrow line you gotta walk down and be a certain way".

Historically, within the NFL, numerous obstacles and barriers have been established to prevent black quarterbacks from becoming the faces of the franchise and leaders of men, as quarterbacks are often expected to be. The 2024 season saw significant progress for the black quarterback, as 29 black quarterbacks threw at least one pass during the season, and a record 15 black quarterbacks started in Week 1.

Washington Commanders' 2nd overall pick of the 2024 draft, Jayden Daniels, enjoyed arguably the greatest year of a rookie quarterback, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, becoming the 7th black quarterback to do so, finishing 7th in MVP voting, and guiding the Commanders to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship berth vs the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles after they had finished the previous season 4-13.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts became the fourth black quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl and the third black quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP after he and the Eagles gained revenge for the 2022 season, in which they narrowly lost the Super Bowl vs. the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs, led by arguably the best quarterback of his generation, superstar black quarterback Patrick Mahomes, sought to become the first team in history to achieve a three-peat. Though they lost, Mahomes is still very much in the conversation for the greatest quarterback of all time.

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Similar to the 2023 draft class, where all the top quarterback prospects were Black, the other top quarterback prospect in this draft is also Black: Cam Ward from the University of Miami. Despite the two quarterbacks being pitted against each other throughout this entire process, the young men from Texas are good friends and train together.

They are both confident, hyper-competitive, and have overcome incredible adversity on their respective journeys, knowing what is at stake. They both have an exciting future ahead of them and have a chance to continue inspiring other young black boys playing football to dream big and become star quarterbacks themselves.

There's far more work to be done, especially given that there are only six black head coaches in the NFL currently, and the league is 53% black. Yet, the paradigm is actively shifting. His Father, Coach Sanders, was and still is famously known as "Prime-Time" and has been a trailblazer at every step of his career, from player to coach. Perhaps "Perfect Timing" for Shedeur catches on as the perfect nickname sequel and continuation of this great legacy.

All eyes will be glued to the TV from April 24th to 26th for the 2025 NFL Draft to see where Shedeur Sanders is drafted. At only 23 years old, he rapped, "I ain't even hit my peak" in his 2024 viral song, "Perfect Timing." Watching this talented young man's career unfold will be amazing at the NFL level. A new era is upon us; you can embrace it or keep fighting what's inevitable. Shedeur will tell you, "If you ain't trying to change the franchise or culture, don't get me." Couldn't have said it any better myself.