The validity of Shedeur Sanders’ first overall projection has been challenged many a time, though I’ve yet to see a mock draft quite like this.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler projects Sanders to fall to No. 6, a spot currently inhabited by the Las Vegas Raiders.
"There are a ton of mixed opinions in the league about Sanders, and it will be interesting to see how (or if) that changes throughout the draft process once coaches get involved," stated Brugler. "But with Mark Davis and Tom Brady heavily influencing this pick, I’m not sure the Raiders could pass on Sanders — although, hopefully the new head coach and general manager will have a say in that decision."
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero seems to concur with this conclusion.
"Shedeur Sanders for a variety of reasons is going to be a really fascinating overall evaluation. I've already to talked to people within the league that don't have anything close to a first-round grade on the guy. He certainly has fans, he certainly comes in with a high-profile, but this idea that, what did Shedeur do, did he walk into a bowl game wearing a Giants outfit, something like that? The idea that he's going to walk in being the No. 1 pick -- that's probably pushing it," Pelissero said.
"If I were guessing who comes off the board first, I'd say Shedeur's not the first Colorado player off the board as it stands today. ... Somebody may fall in love with Shedeur Sanders, he could go No. 1 overall. I would just say, in my conversations, there is healthy skepticism among people in the league that when it comes to the end of this process when we get to that last week of April, that somebody's going to jump out there and use a really high pick in making him a franchise [quarterback]."
It’ll certainly be interesting to see what Sanders’ draft stock ends up being, as many quickly project him in the top two picks.