Following an unconventional college journey, Shedeur Sanders has become the most polarizing prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The son of Hall of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, Shedeur was a 4-star recruit who initially chose to play for his father at Jackson State. He dominated the FCS level, throwing for 6,963 yards, 70 touchdowns and 14 interceptions over two seasons (2021-22) while leading Jackson State to a 23-2 record. In 2023, Sanders followed Coach Prime to Colorado and proved he could excel against Power Five competition. He burst onto the scene with a 510-yard, 4-touchdown passing performance in an opening upset of TCU.

Despite playing behind a porous offensive line, Sanders finished the 2023 season with 3,230 passing yards, 27 TDs and just 3 INTs in 11 games , earning Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year honors. Opting to return for 2024, Sanders continued to elevate Colorado’s program – leading the Buffaloes to a 9-4 record (their best since 2016) and winning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year while finishing 8th in Heisman voting. Now 23 with four years of starting experience, Sanders enters the 2025 draft as a polished, battle-tested quarterback prospect with an NFL pedigree and plenty of buzz. Draft analysts have him firmly in the first-round conversation – potentially even a top-10 pick in 2025 – thanks to his production, poise, and pro-ready skill set .

Check out our full Shedeur Sanders scouting report, with strengths, weaknesses, pro comparisons, and ideal NFL fits as Draft Day approaches.

Strengths

Accuracy and Ball Placement: Sanders’ calling card is his elite accuracy to all levels of the field. He consistently delivers a catchable, well-placed ball that maximizes yards after catch for his receivers. In fact, PFF charted Sanders with the third-highest accuracy rate in the FBS in 2024, along with the fifth-lowest percentage of uncatchable throws.

Whether zipping a quick slant or lofting a touch pass deep, he demonstrates excellent control of trajectory and velocity. Sanders shows a great understanding of defenders’ leverage and routinely puts the ball where only his target can get it, even in tight coverage. His deep-ball touch is especially impressive – he earned a 94.8 PFF passing grade on throws 20+ yards downfield, good for fourth-best in this QB class. That combination of timing, anticipation and placement allows Sanders to deliver a firm, catchable ball with the proper pace for each situation.

The end result is a quarterback who completed a high percentage of passes (nearly 70% in 2023, and over 75% on play-action in 2024, who can surgically dissect defenses when given opportunities. Sanders’ accuracy is an elite trait. He can put the ball wherever he wants, to any sector of the field, shielding it from defenders and leading receivers.

Decision-Making and Turnover Avoidance: Another standout aspect of Sanders’ game is his poised decision-making and refusal to turn a bad play into a disastrous one. Across over 1,200 collegiate pass attempts, he threw only 27 interceptions. Advanced metrics back up this safe stewardship of the football – in 2024 Sanders had an ultra-low 1.3% turnover-worthy play rate (3rd-best among draft-eligible QBs). Impressively, even under heavy pressure, his career turnover-worthy rate was just 2.5% (8th in the class).

Despite facing constant duress behind Colorado’s leaky line, Sanders rarely panicked or forced ill-advised throws into coverage. He is willing to take a sack or throw the ball away rather than jeopardize possession. This a mature mentality for a young QB that all NFL talent evaluators are looking for. His 86.9 PFF passing grade when throwing under pressure in <2.5 seconds (3rd in FBS) also highlights his ability to make quick, correct reads when blitzed.

In structure, Sanders shows flashes of advanced processing, working through progressions and making the right decision, if given time. When operating on schedule, he is an efficient distributor who has the ability to pick defenses apart when he senses an opportunity, much like an NBA point guard running an offense. His high football IQ and preparation shine in these moments. The bottom line is Sanders protects the football and understands situational football, a trait that will endear him to NFL coaches.

Pocket Poise and Toughness: Perhaps forged by necessity, Sanders developed exceptional toughness and composure in the pocket. Playing behind subpar offensive lines, he was one of the most pressured quarterbacks in the country – facing pressure on 37% of his dropbacks in 2023 . Despite the onslaught, Sanders would often stand tall and deliver strikes knowing a hit was imminent. NFL scouts took notice of this fearless approach. Daniel Jeremiah observed on film that “His toughness jumps off the screen. He will plant his feet in the ground while under duress, accepting physical punishment in order to achieve completions”.

Similarly, Sanders is the toughest quarterback in this class. Sanders looked down the gun barrel at on rushing pass-rushers and stepped in to deliver a dime over and over again in college. His accuracy holds up even when he’s under heavy fire. He demonstrates outstanding poise in muddy pockets, keeping his eyes downfield and not fading away from throws. Sanders’ pocket presence isn’t just about absorbing hits – he also has a natural calm in high-pressure situations. The son of a superstar, he’s used to the spotlight and showed clutch ability in late-game moments, orchestrating a number of comeback drives at Colorado.

That mental toughness and competitive fire will serve him well at the next level, where chaos is the norm. Coaches will love that Sanders has been able to function while under an avalanche of attention and pressure.

Refined Mechanics and NFL-Caliber Arm: Sanders is a polished passer mechanically, which contributes to his accuracy and consistency. He throws with a compact, repeatable motion and good footwork. As Jeremiah noted, “Sanders is a pure thrower with a compact, smooth stroke. He has excellent balance and weight transfer upon release,” which allows him to generate sufficient velocity downfield. His arm strength is “plenty… to drive the ball downfield” at the college level, and he can make all the basic NFL throws, especially when in rhythm. He might not have a howitzer, but he compensates with timing and touch. In fact, Sanders doesn’t beat defenders with velocity, he beats them with timing, placement, and good old-fashioned manipulation.

His ability to layer throws over linebackers and in front of safeties is advanced for a prospect. Few college quarterbacks have the anticipation skills, and touch to fit the football into these intermediate windows. Sanders also displays a quick release and keeps a consistent throwing motion even under duress, which helps maintain accuracy. Even when rolling out or throwing off-platform, Sanders can deliver an accurate ball. All of these traits – clean mechanics, adequate arm talent, and polished fundamentals – give Sanders a high floor as a passer entering the NFL.

Weaknesses

Limited Mobility and Escapability: While Sanders has decent size (about 6’2”, 215 lbs) and is not a statue, he is by no means a dual-threat quarterback. His athleticism is average and he’s never going to be known as a quarterback capable of rushing for high-volume yardage. In 2023, he finished with negative rushing yards (due to sacks) and rarely pulled the ball down to run unless absolutely necessary. Sanders can move within the pocket to buy time, but he lacks sudden explosiveness to evade free rushers consistently.

That being said, he has enough functional mobility to roll out on designed bootlegs or scramble for the occasional first down, but he won’t be mistaken for a Lamar Jackson or even a Josh Allen in the open field. Both Daniel Jeremiah and others have noted Sanders is capable of taking the “free yards” with his legs when obvious, “but neither is [he] dynamic as a ball-carrier,” much like the style of Geno Smith in the pros. This limited mobility means Sanders must win from the pocket, putting extra pressure on his offensive line to protect him and on Sanders to have excellent pocket awareness – an area that still needs improvement.

Pocket Presence and Pressure Management: Ironically, the same willingness to hang in and exhaust every option that serves Sanders well can also become a detriment. He is sometimes too stubborn in the pocket, holding the ball long after he should throw it away, which led to an alarming number of sacks. Jeremiah observes that Sanders’ “tendency to never give in and hold the ball results in far too many sacks… there are times when he tries to do too much instead of dirting the ball and saving yardage”. Some of this was a product of consistently poor protection – Sanders was under siege so often that he developed a habit of bracing for pressure or trying to play hero. In fact, in 2024 he was charged with the most quarterback-faulted pressures and sacks of any QB in college, indicating that a number of the hits he took were partially on him for not getting the ball out or moving within the pocket properly. Now ,it's important to note that Sanders had the most dropbacks under pressure in the FBS, and while a lot of that was on his O-line, he had his fair share of responsibility. He was forced to play under constant concern for pressure, even when it wasn’t there. Which often led to him bailing from clean pockets early, taking sacks and not letting plays fully develop.

This is the key: Sanders at times started "feeling ghost” pressure and would prematurely escape a pocket that was holding up, due to expecting the worst. Multiple plays on tape show him dropping his eyes and flushing out or drifting backward at the first flash of color, even when a solid pocket was available if he stepped up. That tendency disrupted the timing of the offense and put him in tougher situations (throwing on the run or into tighter windows).

Coaches will need to help Sanders trust his protection and maintain pocket discipline at the next level. Improving his internal clock is vital, so he knows when to climb the pocket or throw the ball away on time. Sanders must improve his instincts and feel in the pocket as like many college quarterbacks, he tends to wait for his WR to break open (see-it, throw-it). Which is part of why he holds on to the football too long. That “see-it, throw-it” style means he isn’t always anticipating routes, so against NFL pass rush speed he will take unnecessary sacks, and be prone to turning the football over while waiting for clear separation from receivers.

Additionally, Sanders has a habit of drifting backward in the pocket when sensing pressure instead of stepping up, which not only invites edge rushers to chase him down but also affects his throwing power. He’ll need to unlearn those habits and develop a bit more pocket savvy – things like subtle sidesteps, climbing to find space, and knowing when to concede a down. The encouraging part is pocket movement can be improved with coaching (Tom Brady infamously got quicker in the pocket later in his career through drills and awareness). Sanders has shown he’s tough under pressure; now he must learn to be smart under pressure.

Lack of Elite Arm Strength (Velocity): While Sanders’ arm is more than adequate, it isn’t the type of cannon that wows scouts or allows constant off-platform lasers. His deep passes occasionally lack that extra zip to beat tight NFL windows. Sanders lack of velocity is often clearly visible on downfield passes that require a little extra juice to beat closing windows, which will pose issues at the next level.

In college, Sanders was able to compensate with timing – he would throw with anticipation (when he did) and accuracy, so plays still worked. But in the NFL, if he’s even a fraction late on a throw, a middling arm can turn a completion into a pass breakup or interception. When quarterbacks lack zip on the ball, it forces them to be extremely efficient with their timing. Sanders was able to do that in college, and he'll have to improve his anticipation skills to continue to do so in the pros.

Essentially, the margin for error will shrink if he cannot drive the ball into tight spots. Sanders thrives on play-action and schemed openings to stretch the field – he posted a 118.9 passer rating on play-action throws in 2024 (76.6% completion, 12 TD to 2 INT). However, on pure dropbacks he may need to prove he can hit the far-hash deep out before defenses respect it. The good news is his arm is comparable to some successful NFL QBs (not everyone has a Josh Allen howitzer). But, it’s fair to call his arm talent closer to average by NFL standards. At Colorado's pro day, teams will likely pay attention to the velocity of his throws (e.g. MPH or how tight the spiral is on deep outs) to ensure it meets the threshold. As of now, Sanders wins more with touch and anticipation than raw arm strength, which places added importance on him refining those timing elements further in the NFL.

Occasional Slow Trigger: This is a minor nitpick, but ties into both the anticipation and the sack issue. There are instances where Sanders is a beat late recognizing an open man or delivering the throw. He generally sees the field well, but there were times on tape where you want him to pull the trigger just a half-second sooner . That could be due to his aforementioned habit of wanting certainty that a receiver is open. In the NFL, anticipation throws – releasing the ball before the receiver makes his cut – are critical, and it’s an area Sanders is still growing in.

Cleaning up the consistency of that timing – and trusting anticipation throws – will take his game to the next level. NFL coaching and better protection could help him in this regard. Until then, teams will note that Sanders sometimes operates at a “see it, throw it” pace that will need to speed up in the pros.

Comparisons to Past QB Prospects

Finding a perfect pro comparison for Sanders is tricky, but several recent quarterbacks share elements of his game. One common name brought up by analysts is Geno Smith, the former West Virginia star who became a late-blooming Pro Bowler in Seattle. Like Smith coming out of college, Sanders is a polished pocket passer with excellent accuracy and a smooth delivery. Neither are known for their running ability, but both can scramble for cheap yards when absolutely needed.

This is a fitting comparison, as Sanders thrives when executing the play as drawn, similar to how Geno succeeded in 2022 by playing on schedule. However, Sanders enters the league more highly regarded than Geno Smith was in 2013 (Geno fell to Round 2). Sanders’ pedigree and production might be closer to another comparison: Jared Goff. In fact, Sanders' play style is awfully similar to the former first-overall pick. Along with similar size and stature, Goff and Sanders are both impressive post-snap processors, capable of picking apart defenses when they seen an opening. Both quarterbacks also thrive on play-action.

Indeed, like a young Goff at Cal (and later with the Rams & Lions), Sanders excels on play-action passes and is very comfortable from clean pockets, distributing accurately when he has time. Neither has a cannon arm, but both can hit deep shots by virtue of timing and touch. Goff was a No. 1 overall pick who needed a good supporting cast to flourish, and Sanders may follow a similar trajectory – a high pick who will perform well in a timing-based, play-action heavy offense that accentuates his strengths.

Sanders shows similarities with former Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater, who is also known for accuracy and poise. They both display comparable strengths as high-floor pocket passers with leadership intangibles, but questions about ceiling.

Bridgewater, like Sanders, was lauded for his anticipation and accuracy coming out of Louisville, though he lacked elite arm strength. Sanders actually has a thicker build and better deep ball than Bridgewater did, but the general profile (“point guard” distributor, accurate, smart, needs protection) is similar. If Sanders hits his floor as a pro, he could be a Bridgewater-type solid starter. If he hits his ceiling, he could resemble Dak Prescott in some ways – Dak isn’t a blazer as a runner but is tough, accurate in the short/intermediate range, and developed into a high-level processor. That might be a lofty goal.

In summary, Sanders projects similarly to recent pocket passers like Jared Goff, Geno Smith, or even a less-athletic C.J. Stroud. He’s a quarterback who can thrive with timing, rhythm and smart decision-making in a structured offense. Like those players, he might not wow with off-script heroics the way a Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes does, but he can be the steady hand that guides an offense down the field methodically. NFL teams that have had success with that style (think Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff’s 2018 Rams run, or even Matt Ryan in his prime) will see Sanders as an attractive prospect with a relatively high floor. The key will be matching him to the right system and support, much like Goff needed McVay’s scheme or Geno needed Seattle’s ecosystem to reach peak performance.

Potential Team Fits

When looking at which NFL teams' might be the best fit for Shedeur Sanders, it’s important to factor in scheme (does the offense utilize timing and play-action?), coaching (can they develop a young QB and play to his strengths?), and roster (particularly the offensive line and receivers available). Sanders himself has indicated he cares about landing in a stable, supportive situation – and his father Coach Prime has even suggested he might intervene if the “wrong organization” tries to draft his son. Here are a few teams that make sense as ideal fits for Sanders:

• Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders stand out as a potential match given their need for a franchise QB and some intriguing connections. Las Vegas currently lacks a long-term answer under center, and Sanders’ polished game could appeal to a franchise desperate for stability. Coach Prime has hinted he views the Raiders as a favorable destination due to personal relationships – including ties with part-owner Tom Brady. Scheme-wise, the Raiders would likely tailor an offense to Sanders’ strengths, perhaps incorporating the quick passing and play-action concepts he excelled at in college. Of course, the Raiders’ offensive line and supporting cast would need upgrades to help him thrive. But, the idea of Brady’s mentorship and an organization eager to turn the page could make Vegas appealing. Sanders’ poise and box office name would also resonate in the glitzy Las Vegas market.
• Los Angeles Rams: If Sanders prioritizes pure football fit, the Rams are a compelling option. Head coach Sean McVay is renowned as a quarterback-friendly play-caller who maximizes his QB’s strengths – he turned Jared Goff into a Super Bowl QB and revived Matthew Stafford’s career with a ring. In Los Angeles, Sanders would enter a system heavy on play-action and timing throws, which is right in his wheelhouse. The Rams also feature strong route runners in Davante Adams and Puka Nacua who can separate and thrive on precision timing routes. With a solid run game setting up play-action, Sanders could hit the ground running. Veteran Matt Stafford will stick around in 2025, so he could serve as an invaluable mentor for a year, allowing Sanders to learn the NFL ropes before taking the reins. The Rams likely will be looking for a young QB to groom as Stafford ages, and Sanders’ skill set aligns well with McVay’s offense that emphasizes reading defenses, moving safeties with your eyes, and throwing with anticipation. This could be a plug-and-play match that sets Sanders up for early success.
• New York Giants: The Giants find themselves quarterback shopping again after the Daniel Jones experiment fully unraveled in 2024. New York would offer Sanders a big stage and two new mentors in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Plus, head coach Brian Daboll has experience molding young quarterbacks (he was instrumental in Josh Allen’s development in Buffalo). Sanders’ arrival could rejuvenate a Giants offense that has struggled to find an identity. Notably, the Giants have started assembling weapons – for instance, they invested in a young WR1 (2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers) who would pair nicely with Sanders’ accuracy. New York’s offensive line has been a work in progress, but continued improvements would be crucial to make this a true fit given Sanders’ reliance on protection. The allure here is giving the Giants a potential superstar with box office appeal – something the franchise hasn’t had at QB in a while – which could make the G-Men must-see TV again. If Sanders lands in the Big Apple, his name recognition and polished game could handle the bright lights, and Daboll’s offense could be tailored to his strengths (quick reads, RPOs, play-action shots similar to what Daboll did with a young Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama).

Other QB-needy teams like the New Orleans Saints could also be in play for Sanders come draft time. New Orleans could consider Sanders as a successor to Derek Carr, especially given the parallels in play style (both rely on timing and don’t improvise much).

Ultimately, Sanders’ best fit will be a team that can protect him, has a few reliable targets, and will commit to a timing-based passing attack that leverages play-action – essentially, an offense where he can be the facilitator rather than having to play sandlot football. The teams above all check many of those boxes. As Coach Prime emphasized, the ideal organization for Shedeur will be one that “understands what [they’re] doing… not just throwing [him] out there [without support]”. A stable franchise with a clear plan for developing a young QB is the optimal landing spot for Sanders.

Conclusion

Shedeur Sanders enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the most pro-ready quarterbacks in his class, combining a high floor of polished skills with the upside to become a quality NFL starter. His background – being the son of a legendary player and having succeeded in two different college environments – has prepared him for the rigors and scrutiny of the next level. In terms of draft stock, Sanders looks like a mid-to-late first-round talent who could be pushed into the top-10 due to the positional value of a quarterback. Teams will covet his accuracy, football IQ, and unflappable poise under pressure. He projects as a quarterback who, in the right system, can start early in his career and efficiently manage an offense, with the potential to grow into more as he refines the finer points (like speeding up his progression reads and adjusting to NFL pass rush). His ceiling might not be the absolute highest in the class – he isn’t a freakish arm talent or a game-breaking runner – but it’s plenty high for a long-term franchise QB. Think somewhere in the range of a Jared Goff or Dak Prescott at the NFL level: a quarterback who can make Pro Bowls and win a lot of games if surrounded by a decent supporting cast. His floor, meanwhile, is relatively high; even in a worst-case scenario, Sanders’ accuracy and understanding of the game should make him at least a competent starter or top-tier backup (barring injury).

Ultimately, Shedeur Sanders is a strong quarterback prospect with a polished skill set and proven production, albeit one who will need the right environment to fully maximize his talents. He’s not the type of QB who single-handedly carries a weak roster (few rookies are), but if he’s drafted by a team that commits to protecting him and tailoring the scheme to his strengths, Sanders has all the makings of a successful NFL signal-caller. His journey from revitalizing downtrodden programs in college to potentially being the face of an NFL franchise is a testament to his leadership and talent. As the 2025 Draft approaches, NFL fans and scouts alike view Shedeur Sanders as a prospect with “the foundation in place to develop into a solid NFL starter”. All that’s left is to find the right fit and continue the ascent.

Don’t bet against Coach Prime’s son making a name for himself on Sundays, just as he did on Saturdays. With his blend of accuracy, poise, and pedigree, Sanders has a real shot to be the next young quarterback success story in the league.