Colorado football QB Shedeur Sanders not guaranteed to be first-round NFL draft pick, says SI writer
NFL Draft on SI's Cory Kinnan doesn't believe Shedeur Sanders is for sure a first-round caliber talent in the 2025 NFL draft -- believing that the 2024 Colorado football season still needs to determine if that's a reality.
"Sanders has some areas he must improve on from his pre-snap process, to his ability to avoid sacks and navigate muddy pockets better," Kinnan prefaced before saying, "However, there is no doubting his talent. He, however, is not a lock to make the first round with one more year to make a newer name for himself."
I tend to disagree. While Shedeur can sit this season out and likely be considered a top QB option next season -- and the NFL just saw six QBs drafted in the first 12 picks of the 2024 draft, so we're not just talking a first-round talent but a high-first-rounder -- he does need to win more to be considered the guy at his position. Georgia's Carson Beck and Texas's Quinn Ewers definitely have him beaten there.
Colorado football QB Shedeur Sanders called 'generational' by Arizona's Noah Fifita
Arizona's Noah Fifita certainly sees Shedeur as a first-round talent. In fact, Fifita believes Coach Prime's youngest son is a "special talent"; though he made sure to sneak in a shot you could've blinked and missed about him being unpopular to many.
"He's (Sanders) special," Fifita told The Coloradoan at Big 12 media days. "That's a generational talent for sure. Just watching him and the things that he does, he's very competitive. I know people don't like some of his tactics but as a competitor myself, I love it.
"Whatever it takes to win, everybody has their own style."
Fifita, despite being just five-foot-11, may draw slight NFL draft interest himself after continuing to build his stock with the Wildcats, but he's yet to have a campaign as notable as Shedeur's first season in Boulder or even his second season at Jackson State.
The "Prime Time" spotlight has always allowed Shedeur to thrive with an audience, and the "Grown QB" has only responded with big passing numbers and minimal turnovers.