Well, Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock just tripped over its own shoelaces, and now the pro league world senses an opportunity. A guy who was once projected as a top-ten pick is now slipping in the draft. His accuracy and arm strength were first called into question by scouts. Then, the Cam Ward comparisons added fuel to the fire. But now? His decision to skip the NFL Combine has everyone talking. And just when it couldn’t get crazier — boom — Trevor Lawrence comparisons enter the mix. The million-dollar question is: Is Shedeur Sanders really slipping, or is this just pre-draft hype?
Right now, it’s all about the pre-draft hype. Look, we all know Shedeur Sanders is a “generational talent” who’s got strong stats backing him up. This guy led the nation in completion percentage (74%) for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Pretty impressive, huh? But what adds more meaning to these stats is NFL Rookie Watch‘s drawing parallel to him with some of the great talents of the pro league, like Trevor Lawrence, saying, “There are reportedly several NFL scouts that believe this year’s QB class is better than the 2021 class. Which included 8 QBs taken in the first THREE rounds.”
That’s an interesting comparison. We all know that Trevor Lawrence was a first-round pick and possesses dual-threat abilities. But if we look into his college stats that year, they speak a different story altogether. With a completion rate of 69.2% for 3,153 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, Trevor actually lags behind Shedeur in showcasing a higher completion percentage and more passing yards. So, there’s a reason Scouts believe that this year’s QB class has more depth than the 2021 class.
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However, what about the “doubts” that are making Shedeur Sanders lose his draft stock? The moment media platform’s NFL insider Field Yates took up the charge of comparing Hurricanes Cam Ward’s skills with Shedeur, things got ugly for him. Imagine being this close to the Drafts and hearing things like, “Cam Ward [is] the better innovator, who has more magic to him, second-reaction plays. Shedeur Sanders is the better, more refined pocket passer that, if you give time and space, can really carve up the defense.”
But here’s the catch. Looks like the Pro League doesn’t even need a good pocket passer anymore. As ESPN’s draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. mentioned, how many believe that Shedeur Sanders isn’t the type of QB NFL teams are craving right now. “After I had those conversations, I went back and did a little more checking. What somebody said is, ‘Well… Shedeur is not really what we are looking for. The NFL is not really looking for that kind of quarterback.” While many questioned Shedeur’s ability to stand against dual-threat QBs like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, Mel Kiper made sure he stood with Shedeur.
As Mel Kiper Jr. pushed back on the idea that NFL teams don’t want pocket passers anymore, saying, “My point here is that I do not buy into the fact that Shedeur Sanders is not an exciting prospect because he is not going to beat you with his legs necessarily. Yet I think on third down, you are in man coverage; he can beat you.” That’s a straight fact. Plus, how can we forget guys like Joe Burrow, who still win as passers? Even with Kiper’s spectacular defense, the overall impression remains negative.
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Shedeur Sanders’ dipping draft stocks
Now, dipping stocks aren’t the only problem with Shedeur Sanders’ NFL future. Shedeur’s recent move of opting out of throwing drills at the Combine just turned many heads. The move also caught the attention of NFL teams. While he will still participate in interviews, teams will have to wait until Colorado’s Pro Day to see him showcase his throwing arm. This decision is not uncommon among top players, as Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye did the same last year.
But what makes his decision more twisted is that Shedeur also opted out of the East-West Shrine Bowl, raising concerns among teams about his commitment to football. Some reports suggested he was asked to sit out by the Browns, adding to the speculation. By skipping key pre-draft events, Sanders is inadvertently fueling doubts among NFL teams who are known to scrutinize every detail.
Moreover, the comparisons are getting weirder day by day. One scout has likened Shedeur Sanders to Tom Brady, while another sees him more as a larger version of Teddy Bridgewater. Love Teddy, but that’s a galaxy-wide gap, causing front offices to become anxious. Some scouts praise his polished presence in the pocket and accurate throws, while others question his decision-making under pressure. But what’s causing Shedeur’s stock to fall isn’t just his mechanics. Discussions about his priorities are also gaining momentum.
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In the NFL, patience is scarce, with teams expecting top prospects to capitalize on every chance to prove themselves. While Sanders opting out of throwing in Indianapolis might not be a deal-breaker, when combined with his past absences, concerns start to arise. Is he avoiding challenges, or is he strategizing for the long term? Regardless, time is ticking, and teams are closely monitoring the situation.