FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)
6-foot-2 | 215 Pounds
Background
Shedeur Sanders has played for his father Deion Sanders since high school. A four-star recruit who originally attended Jackson State, where he led the team to 11-2 and 12-1 records, throwing for 3,231 yards (65.9%, 7.8 yards per attempt), 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a freshman and 3,732 yards (70.6%, 7.7 yards per attempt), 40 touchdowns and six interceptions as a sophomore.
Sanders followed his father to Colorado in 2023, with the team going 4-7 on the year. He finished with 3,230 yards (69.3%, 7.5 yards per attempt), 27 touchdowns and three interceptions that season. He went 9-4 this past season, throwing for 4,134 yards (74.0%, 8.7 yards per attempt), 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Positives
Sanders was a four-year starter with elite bloodlines who seamlessly transitioned from the FCS to the FBS in 2023. Has a confident personality on and off the field. Technically-sound passer with clean footwork and a stable base on his drops. Does a nice job of getting aligned and transferring weight into his throws. Solid decision-maker who looks decisive when his first read is there; shows the patience to work through additional progressions if not. Shows urgency on rhythm-based throws off of predetermined reads.
Sanders has a quick release with a relatively high release point. Generates solid velocity on the underneath throws which formed the basis of Colorado’s offense, but knows how to take something off and throw with touch as appropriate. Overall ball placement is a strength, especially over the middle of the field at the short and intermediate levels; can stick it on a receiver to facilitate yards after catch. Shows the ability to move in the pocket or escape from pressure and buy time while keeping his eyes downfield.
Can throw with accuracy while on the move. Willing to throw the ball away when under pressure and nothing’s there. Has shown good toughness to absorb the punishment he has throughout his career.
Negatives
His frame is on the smaller side, and pre-draft measurements could be important. Has been sacked 90 times over the past two years, largely as a result of holding the ball too long, which can disrupt the offense’s momentum and might raise questions about durability. Doesn’t get a ton of juice on pro-style throws, with some of his further throws hanging in the air too long.
Some of Sanders’ longer throws toward the sideline tend to sail on him. Has historically struggled a bit when throwing to the left side of the field. Has some escapability, but isn’t a great athlete and finished with just 29 career rushing yards (0.1 yards per attempt.) Occasionally drifts into pressure or gets too much depth, rather than climbing to push EDGE rushers past him.
Some attempts to flee the pocket make a bad situation worse by taking a costlier sack, as Sanders tends to scramble backward and lacks the raw speed to outrun faster rushers. Some teams may take issue with aspects of his brand management. His father has indicated there are some teams he won’t be allowed to play for.
Summary
A confident rhythm-based passer who works through progressions, makes pretty good decisions with the football and throws with impressive accuracy/placement. At his best, pulls the trigger early, puts the ball right on his target and works his way down the field methodically through a series of short and intermediate throws over the middle of the field.
However, Sanders can sometimes be too slow to get the ball out, can’t consistently escape from pressure when he’s being pursued and his overall arm talent is closer to adequate. Could draw a wide range of evaluations, as he’s not a perfect fit for every scheme, but still looks to be in the conversation for the first overall pick. He should easily be one of the first two or three passers off the board.
Projection: Round 1
Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports 
More 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports for Quarterbacks
A highly productive five-year starter who made major strides this past season after arriving at Miami. Ward plays with impressive composure, shows the ability to work through full-field reads and has solid arm talent and accuracy. Is capable of escaping from pressure and making the occasional splash play. At the same time, there are some risky elements to his game, which often come as a result of trying to do too much, leading to dangerous throws, interceptions or fumbles.
Consequently, how willing teams are to tolerate that risk to reap the rewards of his playmaking skills will be interesting to monitor. Either way, Ward is among the candidates to go first overall and should be one of the first couple of quarterbacks off the board.
Projection: Round 1
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Cam Ward
One of the most physically and athletically gifted dual-threat quarterback prospects you’ll see, with plenty of arm strength and elite speed, explosiveness and power as a runner who has some work to do on his game. To reach his sky-high potential he needs to show more consistent weight transfer on his throws, increased touch underneath, slightly faster processing and improved play under pressure.
However, those types of issues could be remedied with experience and coaching, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a patient and somewhat risk-tolerant team take a shot on him in the first round.
Projection: Round 1/Round 2
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Jalen Milroe
- Jaxson Dart (Mississippi)
- Tyler Shough (Louisville)
- Will Howard (Ohio State)
- Quinn Ewers (Texas)
- Riley Leonard (Notre Dame)
- Kyle McCord (Syracuse)
- Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
- Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
- Max Brosmer (Minnesota)
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