Shedeur Sanders Undraftable Free Agent Value in 2025 NFL Draft

The only reason Colorado quarterback (QB) Shedeur Sanders is in the first-round discussion is because of his last name.

I say this with respect to the Sanders family. I even own two Deion Sanders jerseys from his Falcons’ cornerback playing days that I like to wear around town, but somebody has to try to rescue his son’s NFL career before it’s too late.

Nothing hurts these prospects more than overhyping them. Nothing sets them up more to fail than overgrading. That’s because grades create expectations and expectations define careers.

This isn’t hating; it’s evaluating.

Putting Sanders’ accomplishments into context

When I saw THIS GRAPHIC in the Cincinnati game, it started making sense. Colorado Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur’s passing scheme was based on matchups, space, leverage, and numbers.

I started seeing what this meant and understanding it better the more I studied Sanders making short (0-10 yards) to intermediate (11-19 yards) throws into larger, safer, and established throwing windows. Against Texas Tech on Nov. 23 a commentator on Fox CFB stated Colorado is ‘Top-25 in the country in screen percentage.’

I also contemplated Colorado’s softer schedule.

Then I heard a FOX CFB commentator talk about how Sanders ran a reactive offensive system based on what the defense did in the Kansas game on Nov. 23. It was also mentioned, “Colorado has over 1,600 yards after the catch this year.” That’s a lot of YAC (yardage after catch). This would decrease Sanders’ actual passing yardage through the air from 4,134 yards to roughly 2,534 yards.

Colorado’s offensive system was ONE BIG MANIPULATION designed to highlight Sanders’ strengths and stat pad against middling college defenders.

Let’s address the elephant in the draft room

Sanders was the most sacked quarterback in the FBS the past two seasons:

94 sacks

“It’s because Colorado’s offensive line sucked.” That’s what they try to sell us. However, his two-season sack total before Colorado at Jackson State paints a different picture:

58 sacks

That’s 152 sacks behind two different offensive lines at two different schools. The only thing that changed when he went to a higher level of competition was his sack rate nearly doubled.

Per Pro Football Focus, Sanders had a 2.89 second time to throw in 2023 and 3.0 seconds in 2024.

Sanders has the SLOWEST TIME TO THROW in this draft class.

The BIG question

Is Sanders the type of individual that a franchise and city wants representing them?

That’s something teams will need to ask themselves after reviewing this VIDEO EVIDENCE (13 concerning incidents).

#2 Shedeur Sanders 6-foot-2, 215 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2025 NFL Draft Grade: UDFA (undraftable free agent)

C (Character Risk)

M (Medical Risk): Broken Back 2023

Shedeur Sanders: NFL Practice Squad Grade (2022: 3 games evaluated)

Shedeur Sanders Graded as NFL Practice Squad Prospect (2023: 10 games evaluated)

Projected by 96.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of January 24, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2024 game film evaluated: NDSU, Nebraska, Colorado State, Baylor, UCF, Kansas State, Arizona, Cincinnati, Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas, Oklahoma State, and BYU (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: 1-7 vs. top-25 teams

2024 stats: 353/477 (74.0%) for 4,134 yards, 37 TD, 10 INT, 42 sacks

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Tough athletic resilient low ceiling prospect with decent arm strength. Takes a while to get revved up in games. Less confident against higher-ranked opponents. Goes into a shell. Couldn’t speed up his process when necessary (BYU). Prone to fumbling snaps. Good behind-the-line-of-scrimmage mobility. Can reset the pocket. Eyes downfield. Poised. One-to-two reads. Inconsistent progressions. Tends to pat, lock, and release, telegraphing the timing and ball location. Limited trust in receivers (48.1% of completions went to two targets. Eats sacks (356 yards lost). Hesitation is ingrained in him. Needs to make sure the receiver is going to be open before releasing. Most comfortable throwing into zone or loose off-man coverage. Throws tend to be after receivers make their break vs. press-man. Questionable how well he sees the field. Best off-script and under pressure when he’s not overthinking it. 24 PBUs/13 games (1.84 average). 11+ yards 30/67 (44.8%). Average-looking speed running. Not elusive.

Final words

Go back and watch the No. 17 BYU and No. 18 Kansas State condensed games.

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, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.