Shedeur Sanders is projected to be both the primary or second quarterback off the board within the 2025 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, in latest weeks, rumors have surfaced about Sanders doubtlessly slipping within the draft as groups signal or commerce for veteran quarterbacks.
One former school and NFL coach weighed in on Sanders’ draft inventory and why it might be falling.
City Meyer Shares Replace on Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Inventory
City Meyer is not any stranger to the NFL Draft course of. The longtime school head coach is a three-time nationwide champion and had a short stint as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Having each misplaced gamers to the NFL and evaluated prospects, Meyer has seen the draft course of from each side.
“I known as a GM buddy of mine, and [Shedeur Sanders] slipped a little bit bit right here,” Meyer mentioned on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.”
“The explanation he’s slipping is that they’re wanting on the competitors that he performed. I don’t know if I essentially agree with that. However I perceive, all through the NFL, there’s a priority about if he could make the throw within the tight home windows as a result of, within the Huge 12 convention, he didn’t have to try this very a lot.”
Meyer added, “You take a look at his large performs; a variety of them have been on the run, and you understand that’s not essentially what they’re searching for within the NFL. They need a man that may drop again and make that tight window throw. There’s some query marks if he can do this.”
Sanders led the Huge 12 in practically each passing class, finishing 353 of 477 passes (74%) for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, averaging 318 yards per sport. His 71.8% profession completion proportion is an FBS file.
One other potential motive for Sanders’ slide might be the inflow of veteran quarterback strikes early within the offseason. The Las Vegas Raiders acquired Geno Smith for a third-round choose, and the New York Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year contract. Each groups maintain top-seven picks within the NFL Draft and have been linked to Sanders, however with new quarterbacks on the roster, it’s unclear if they’re nonetheless available in the market for a rookie QB.
Moreover, the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns are two extra groups on the high of the NFL Draft which have been linked to quarterbacks, however each have additionally pursued veteran choices. The Browns traded for Kenny Pickett and met with Russell Wilson, whereas the Giants are set to fulfill with Wilson and have been closely linked to Aaron Rodgers.
Cam Ward’s NFL Draft Inventory Holding Regular
Whereas Sanders’ inventory is reportedly “slipping,” fellow high quarterback prospect Cam Ward seems to be holding regular. Ward is a possible possibility for the Tennessee Titans, Browns, and Giants, who maintain the primary three picks within the NFL Draft.
In 2024, Ward accomplished 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He led the ACC in passing touchdowns, yards per try, and yards per completion whereas main Miami to a 10-3 file.
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A number of components will decide the place Sanders is drafted in 2025. Nevertheless, as all the time, it solely takes one group to disagree with the consensus and choose him within the high 10.
The battle between Ward and Sanders might be a big storyline main as much as the NFL Draft, and the way they carry out at their professional days might affect their inventory.
Potential Matches for Sanders, Ward in 2025 NFL Draft
Because the NFL free company progresses, roster vacancies and holes begin to refill with new expertise, and arguably no place experiences a extra important carousel than quarterbacks.
With large strikes occurring all throughout the NFL, a number of groups that seemed to be QB-needy just like the Raiders, Jets, and even the Browns (to an extent) have positioned themselves to not be pigeonholed into taking a sign caller in Spherical 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Nevertheless, with a couple of extra dominos ready to fall — specifically Rodgers and Wilson — it looks like the highest candidates to be in on the QB market within the NFL Draft are the highest three groups: Tennessee, Cleveland, and New York.
READ MORE: 3-Spherical 2025 NFL Mock Draft
In PFSN’s newest three-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Ward went No. 2 total to the Browns: “The Browns might want to encompass Ward with high-IQ teaching and veteran management — one thing they haven’t traditionally completed properly with younger quarterbacks,” wrote Marco Enriquez.
Sanders, although, adopted proper behind him, going No. 3 to the Huge Blue.
“Sanders is essentially the most correct passer on this class and has the mobility to increase performs. Whereas some query his arm power, pairing him with Malik Nabers might ease these considerations early in his profession. Sanders’ greatest hurdle might be dealing with strain, as he tends to carry onto the ball too lengthy and typically strikes into strain as an alternative of away from it,” Enriquez mentioned.
