FanSided's John Buhler has Colorado's Shedeur Sanders listed as the No. 3 quarterback on his NFL draft board behind Georgia's Carson Beck and Texas's Quinn Ewers but ahead of Alabama's Jalen Milroe and Notre Dame's Riley Leonard.
"Right now, Sanders is one of three quarterbacks I have as first-round locks, along with Georgia's Carson Beck and Texas' Quinn Ewers in the NFL Draft," Buhler prefaced before saying, "I would also pencil in Alabama's Jalen Milroe and Notre Dame's Riley Leonard, who just transferred over from Duke, as probable first-round picks as well.
"Where things stand now, I have a hard time justifying Sanders being any higher than QB3 on my big board. Beck and Ewers have played against better competition, won more games and don't come with the distractions of a super famous father."
Shedeur Sanders can surpass Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers behind superior Colorado offensive line in 2024
Shedeur couldn't stay healthy at the end of the 2023 season and was the most-sacked quarterback at the Power Five level last year, so it isn't surprising to see many have a negative taste in their mouths regarding the "Grown QB."
Even still, Sanders was able to play well enough to have even the staunchest of doubters considering No. 2 to be a top-three signal-caller in the 2025 NFL draft.
An improved offensive line in 2024 could have Shedeur looking like even more of a sure thing at the next level, and the lack of significant WR losses outside of Xavier Weaver combined with the increased receiving corps talent in the form of LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard put Sanders in the catbird seat to raise his stock even more. Qualifying for a bowl game would be the cherry on top.
While Beck, Ewers, and Milroe, at the very least, figure to be in the championship hunt, they run the risk of being lost in the shuffle with strong RB rooms and even more talented teammates who will garner the most attention on their teams.
But outside of Travis Hunter, no Buff comes close to having Shedeur's gravity. No. 2 has a prime (pun intended) chance to become No. 1 on 2025 NFL draft boards if he can lead CU to whatever would be perceived as the promised land for Colorado in 2024.