Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Quarterback, Passes Through First Round of NFL Draft
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a prominent figure in this year’s NFL Draft, was not chosen during Thursday’s first round. Despite considerable anticipation and varied projections, the young quarterback remains undrafted after the initial selections.
Draft Speculation and Outcomes
The 23-year-old Sanders entered the NFL Draft as a prospect generating significant buzz and divided opinions. Mock drafts offered diverse predictions, some suggesting he might join the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 21st pick, while others placed him as high as third overall or outside the first-round entirely.
Ultimately, the Steelers opted for Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at pick 21.
Cam Ward was the first quarterback taken, with Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart following later in the first round. The New York Giants traded up to secure Dart with the 25th pick.
Sanders’ Collegiate Career
Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL Hall of Famer and Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, earned the title of Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year during his final season at Colorado. He showcased impressive accuracy, completing 74.0% of his passes, resulting in 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Sanders began his college career in 2021 at Jackson State, a historically Black university where his father coached. After two seasons with the Tigers, he transferred to Colorado alongside his father, spending an additional two years with the Buffaloes.
Before Sanders’ arrival, the Buffaloes had a dismal record, winning only one game. However, in his second season, the team achieved nine victories, marking their best performance since 2016.
Scouting Reports and Criticisms
Leading up to the NFL Draft, scouts and coaches scrutinized Sanders’ performance and demeanor, both on and off the field.
Anonymous Assessments
- One quarterbacks coach reportedly described him as “brash” and “arrogant.”
- Another assistant coach told NFL Network that he seemed “entitled,” recounting what they described as “the worst formal interview” they had ever witnessed.
“He’s so entitled,” the anonymous assistant told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates. … But the biggest thing is, he’s not that good.”
On-Field Performance Analysis
Sanders faced criticism regarding arm strength and decision-making skills. During his two seasons with the Buffaloes, he endured a total of 94 sacks.
Conversely, he received praise for his precision, achieving a completion rate exceeding 70% over the past two years.
Sanders’ Response to Criticism
“I truly don’t have any space for negativity, so it doesn’t play a factor in my life at all,” Sanders told NBC News this month regarding the criticism he has faced. “I understand the easiest thing in the world to do is to be negative instead of positive. I truly don’t care what people have to say.”
He further commented, “I’m happy everything is happening this way. I like a lot of chaos, because it shows you who’s really there. I wouldn’t change a thing, because this adds to the story.”