BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes passes in the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Folsom Field on September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

What Nobody Wants you to Know About Shedeur Sanders

September 11, 2023 | Daniel Kelly | Articles

Reading Time: 4 minutes

BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes runs onto the field in the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Folsom Field on September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Watching Colorado quarterback (QB) Shedeur Sanders has been exciting for fans as he won for the second straight week against No. 61-ranked Nebraska 36-14.

All that is great, but this is an NFL Draft site dedicated to finding the top NFL prospects. Through the first two games, I am just not seeing it with Sanders.

Yes, the 2-0 start and Sanders going 69-of-89 (77.5%) for 903 yards, 6 touchdowns, and no interceptions is impressive, but the context of those numbers is what needs to be examined.

This is one of the tougher evaluations because, from the outside looking in, Sanders is a charismatic leader with a good arm and excellent ball placement at all three route levels.

I really like those qualities.

However, it’s the finer points of the position in the NFL that have kept me from buying in.

Question of the day: What round should Shedeur Sanders be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft?
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) September 10, 2023

Simplistic offensive system

Sanders has shown a strong bent towards throwing to his first read. He did it 23/47 (49%) against TCU and 17/42 (40%) against Nebraska.

When he’s not throwing his first read, he’s generally passing to his second read in the progression. There’s also a heavy emphasis on making a good number of short easy quick high percentage throws in this offensive scheme. This occurred 21 of 47 times (45%) against TCU and 20 of 42 times (48%) against Nebraska.

Sanders plays in a highly structured basic offensive system that is conservative about half the time. This system caters to Sanders’ strengths and desperately tries to cover his weaknesses.

Watch his feet

Sanders’ footwork is sounder and relaxed when he knows where he is going with the ball pre-snap and can execute a quick throwing decision. The longer he has to read a defense, the jumpier his feet become. This is called “Happy Feet,” in scouting. First Round Mock’s William Yanish brought this to my attention (thank you, William).

Granted, Sanders is still completing passes regardless of footwork because of how highly instinctual of a touch passer he is.

Locking in with receivers

He did this against TCU 45/47 times (96%) and he did it again on 26/42 attempts (61%) against Nebraska.

Doing it at all in the NFL is not good. When QBs at the next level lock in with receivers it gives corners more time to make a play on the ball.

It hasn’t cost him an interception yet in the first two games, but he did have three disrupted passes against TCU.

Tendency to melt down under pressure

BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Linebacker Javin Wright #33 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers defends against a pass attempt by quarterback Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes in the third quarter at Folsom Field on September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

At times, Sanders has gotten away from pressure and made a nice throw, but 12 sacks in two games highlights a problem.

Sanders has a tendency to become hesitant and less poised under pressure (especially in his face). He becomes more focused on the pass rush rather than remaining focused downfield. Sometimes, he had a receiver he could’ve thrown to, but he didn’t. I don’t like who Sanders becomes under pressure. At best, he’s inconsistent. Nebraska really seemed to understand this and it resulted in them producing 8.0 sacks.

Ironically, Sanders folded like a tent under pressure at Jackson State last season.

Running limitations

Sanders is not a dual-role prospect. He’s got what I call “behind the line of scrimmage mobility,” which enables him to occasionally dance around in the pocket and buy time.

However, he’s anything but a runner.

negative 30 rushing yards against Nebraska
negative 32 rushing yards against TCU
156 yards rushing on 188 carries over two seasons prior at Jackson State

Sanders didn’t inherit his dad’s running ability.

2023 Game film and scouting conclusion

Colorado vs. TCU

Colorado vs. Nebraska

I wonder why his dad of all people has structured such a basic (Non-NFL friendly) heavy one-read offensive system and allowed the habit of locking in with receivers to go on this long knowing what lies ahead being a Hall of Fame cornerback himself.

Maybe Shedeur Sanders really does struggle reading defenses?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.