LaNorris Sellers Scores Second Round Grade

If a football scientist went into a lab and combined quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper, Will Levis, Jordan Love, Cam Newton, Anthony Richardson, Jalen Hurts, and Jalen Milroe, the result of the experiment would be South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

That’s a wild combination, but that’s what it was like studying Sellers in every single snap he took during the 2025 regular season.

While there’s this pervasive notion out there that Sellers regressed this season⎯

I believe he has improved as an NFL projection.

But, before getting into all of that, one thing is clear: SELLERS IS NOT A NATURAL PASSER. This is something that has hindered him during his college career, and it’s something that promises to be a source of frustration going forward.

NFL TEAMS BE ADVISED

What’s it like watching Sellers play?

That answer begins with the understanding that he has a slower internal clock that regulates everything he does.

Dynamic runner

No question⎯

Sellers can hurt the opponent with his legs.

Sometimes by design, and sometimes out of necessity.

While he’s beginning to shed that dreaded “run-first-throw-second” quarterback label, the fact of the matter is that Sellers loves to run the ball, and he’s built like a rock. He has a sturdy, thick, well-defined, muscular frame, and he’s not the easiest to bring down.

How well does he protect his body?

So-so ⎯

Sometimes he ducks out of bounds or slides…

But then there are the other times he runs headfirst into the jaws of a defense.

Elementary quarterback

Sellers is a one-to-two read passer, and he throws with below-average to average anticipation. There are also times he likes to go play-action and then throw to his first read. He can work from the pocket, but seems more comfortable getting out of it.

What are his best throwing ranges?

• Short (0-9 yards) and deep (20+ yards).

Playmaking heartbreaker

Two sides to this coin⎯

Sellers makes explosive plays with his legs and with the cannon he has for a right arm.

• 17/39 +20 air yards on throws that I charted (43.6%)

But for every big play, he does something that makes fans want to break their television. A couple of examples of this are when he hard freezes and takes sacks for yardage losses, or when he misjudges coverage and throws an ill-advised pass.

NFL projection

Will Sellers start in the NFL?

Yes.

Does he have star power?

Yes.

Where will he rank?

His QBR will always be in the bottom half of the league (16-32).

#16 LaNorris Sellers 6-foot-3, 240 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2026 NFL Draft Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Injury risk: Average

* ALERT CHECK EYESIGHT

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First Round prospect as of December 13, 2025

LaNorris Sellers Too Similar to Colts’ QB Anthony Richardson (2024: 12 games evaluated)

2025 game film evaluated: Virginia Tech, South Carolina State, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Kentucky, LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Coastal Carolina, and Clemson (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025: 178/293 (60.8%) for 2,437 yards, 13 TD, 8 INT (149 carries)

Note: Took the second-most sacks in college football in 2025

Note: Hates wearing contacts

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Physically gifted dual role prospect. Air of confidence in the way he carries himself—even-keeled nature. The offense responds to him like he’s in total command. Competitive. Smart. Operates out of the shotgun. Brings a methodical pre-snap tempo to the offense and a herky-jerky post-snap pace. Time to throw (2025: 3.15 seconds Pro Football Focus). Calculated thrower (18 PBUs/1.5 per game average). Keeps eyes downfield most of the time. Comfortable throwing from a muddied pocket. Sometimes lacks awareness and tries to release from a pocket that’s too crowded, and can’t step into his throw. Questionable field vision. Average reading defensive coverage. Best when he’s relaxed and can step into his throws. Sometimes throws using too much upper body, attempting to aim and steer the ball. Below average in the clutch. Excels at overcoming defenders due to size and strength. Demonstrates the ability to create and extend plays. Can turn nothing into something. Determined runner with deceptive speed and a short-area burst. Good contact balance.

Final words

I like Sellers, but I don’t love him.

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. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.