Shedeur Sanders 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Colorado QB
Shedeur Sanders enters the 2025 NFL Draft as a polished quarterback prospect with elite accuracy, poise under pressure, and natural leadership. Additionally, he could be a game-changer for your dynasty fantasy football teams. His high football IQ and ability to dissect defenses make him a true field general, while his pocket presence and mobility allow him to extend plays when needed. As he prepares for the next level, refining his pocket movement and handling defensive pressure more effectively will be crucial to unlocking his full potential in the NFL.
Shedeur Sanders 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Sanders enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the class’s most polished and intriguing quarterback prospects. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, he has been groomed for the spotlight since his youth, displaying a rare blend of poise, accuracy, and football IQ. After dominating at Jackson State (FCS) and transitioning to Power 5 football at Colorado, Sanders has proven he can elevate a program while handling immense pressure—both on and off the field. His 2024 season showcased his ability to operate a pro-style offense under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, cementing his status as a high-ceiling prospect with the tools to succeed at the next level.
HT: 6014
WT: 212
HAND: 938
ARM: 3148
40: 4.78
Strengths:
- Accuracy and Ball Placement: Sanders is a surgical passer, particularly in the short-to-intermediate range. His FBS-leading 74.0% completion rate in 2024 reflects his ability to put the ball where receivers can make plays, often leading them away from defenders with precise touch.
- Pocket Presence: Despite facing constant pressure (52 sacks in 2024), he displays composure under duress, keeping his eyes downfield and delivering strikes while taking hits. His toughness is a standout trait—he doesn’t flinch in chaotic pockets.
- Football IQ and Processing: Pre- and post-snap, Sanders shows advanced diagnostic skills. He reads coverages well, adjusts protections, and progresses through reads with a veteran-like calmness, a testament to his upbringing in a football-centric environment.
- Clutch Performance: Time and again, Sanders has delivered in critical moments, whether rallying Colorado late in games or making decisive throws on third downs. His mental resolve shines when the stakes are highest.
- Arm Talent: While not elite, his arm strength is sufficient to make all NFL throws. He can drive the ball into tight windows and shows good velocity on out routes and deep posts, complemented by excellent touch on layered throws.
Areas for Improvement:
- Pocket Navigation: Sanders’ tendency to drift backward or bail from clean pockets invites pressure and leads to unnecessary sacks. He took the most sacks in the FBS in 2024 (52), partly due to a shaky offensive line but also due to holding the ball too long or failing to step up.
- Anticipation Timing: While he excels in rhythm, Sanders occasionally waits for receivers to break open rather than throwing with anticipation, a habit that faster NFL defenses could exploit.
- Athletic Ceiling: Sanders is a capable scrambler (4 rushing TDs in 2024), but he lacks the explosive speed or elusiveness to threaten defenses with his legs consistently. He’s more of a pocket extender than a dual-threat weapon.
- Pressure Response: His accuracy and decision-making dip when forced off-script. He struggled to reset and find answers against complex blitzes (e.g., Alamo Bowl vs. BYU), raising questions about his adaptability outside structured settings.
- Size Concerns: Sanders has a solid but not imposing frame. He’ll need to prove he can withstand the physical toll of an NFL season, especially given his sack totals in college.
Conclusion:
Sanders is a high-floor, medium-ceiling prospect with the intangibles to step into an NFL huddle on Day 1. His accuracy, IQ, and resilience make him a safe bet to become a quality starter, potentially in the 15-20 TD range annually with the right support. If he cleans up his pocket presence and anticipation, he could push toward the upper echelon of NFL passers. He’s likely a top-10 pick in a quarterback-needy draft class.
Sanders best projects into a timing-based, West Coast-style offense emphasizing rhythm passing and quick decisions—think Sean Payton’s Saints or Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers. He’d thrive with a strong offensive line and playmakers who can turn his accurate throws into yards after the catch. Teams needing a plug-and-play starter with a high floor and the potential to grow into a franchise cornerstone will covet him. However, his success hinges on improving his pocket awareness and adapting to the speed of NFL defenses.
Like Geno Smith, Sanders pairs solid arm talent with sharp processing and accuracy, excelling in structure but lacking elite athleticism. Sanders’ poise and toughness mirror Smith’s late-career grit, though he’ll need coaching to refine his pocket habits as Smith did.
Round Grade: Early 2nd Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
| 2023 | Colorado | 11 | 298 | 430 | 69.3 | 3230 | 27 | 3 | 151.7 |
| 2024* | Colorado | 13 | *353* | *477* | *74.0* | *4134* | *37* | 10 | *168.2* |
| Career | 24 | 651 | 907 | 71.8 | 7364 | 64 | 13 | 160.4 |
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