Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 215
Arm Length: N/A
40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
Bench Press: N/A
Pros
- Athletic enough to be able to throw off-platform and use his legs when needed.
- Better than expected arm strength that allows him to throw with good zip.
- Very mindful of his mechanics.
- Not new to the spotlight.
- Isn’t afraid of standing in the pocket to deliver a football.
- Throws a pretty accurate football to all levels.
- Pocket presence improved as the season went on.
Cons
- Will dig himself into very deep holes trying to escape pressure.
- Sometimes fixates on a single receiver.
- Sometimes throws behind and/or high to RBs and receivers in the flats.
- Gets flustered from straight-on pressure.
- Needs to learn to be content with taking the easy yards.
Notes
- Named All-PAC-10 Honorable Mention by conference coaches in 2023.
- Named First Team All-PAC-12 by conference coaches in 2024.
- Named the Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year by conference coaches in 2024.
- Led Jackson State to two SWAC championships in 2021 and 2022.
Overview
Reviews on the Colorado quarterback have been mixed throughout the pre-draft process so far. Despite decent offensive line play and consistent production from his skill positions outside of Travis Hunter, Sanders still managed to put together an impressive year.
First and foremost, the most impressive thing about Sanders, in my opinion, is his presence in the spotlight. Not new to media attention, Sanders knows how to deal with both criticism and praise well. He’ll need something to go to the bright lights of New York or Las Vegas.
The next thing I noticed about Sanders was his mechanics. He’s fundamentally sound, which allows him to throw a pretty accurate football to all levels of the field, even while under pressure. Should he not have level footing, however, Sanders is still able to get the job done thanks to his underrated athleticism permitting him to throw off platform, and his better-than-expected arm strength. Furthermore, you love a QB who isn’t afraid of getting him. Do you want your QB to seek out contact? No. But seeing your locker room leader stay in the pocket to deliver footballs is motivating. Lastly, Sanders’ pocket presence improved as the season went along. Having a below-average OL, Sanders showed he could navigate pressure well to deliver on-time throws.
Still, the biggest thing with Sanders is how he deals with pressure. Although he’s shown he can handle it, he does get a bit flustered by straight-on pressure up the middle. This leads him to dig deep holes for himself as he backs up to try and make something out of nothing. Even when it comes to short gains on early downs, sometimes it’s fine to be content with taking the easy yards to set yourself up for later. However, Sanders will occasionally be inaccurate when it comes to quick hitters and throws in the flats. Finally, Sanders also sometimes fixates on a single receiver or side. Maybe it’s a product of Travis Hunter being so reliable; maybe it’s not. Either way, it needs to stop.
My Two Cents
After watching his film, I am much higher on Sanders than when I went in. Do I think he’s someone who flips an organization around from nothing? No. But I do think he’s capable of making a team with very little, much better. Given this year’s quarterback class, I’d be fine with taking him in the top five if your franchise is that desperate.
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