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With less than one month to go until the start of the 2025 NFL Draft, teams at the top of the first round are locking in their plans and zeroing in on the best prospects available -- in of talent, and in of fit. But it remains uncertain where Shedeur Sanders, one of the top quarterbacks available, is going to find himself come April 24, when commissioner Roger Goodell opens the draft in Green Bay, Wisc.
Sanders, who was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, has been subject to what many are calling a "smear campaign" in the weeks building up to the draft. The former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback continues to be doubted in some circles, with analysts and talent evaluators alike questioning his athleticism, the accuracy of his arm, and even his mental makeup to deal with the challenges that the NFL will present to him -- especially as he is likely to begin his career with an unstable "losing" organization.
Sanders could be a "Pickett-level" bust
Even though Sanders is excellent at keeping the ball and has (rightly) touted his record as a turnaround specialist -- first at Jackson State University, then while playing under his dad Deion at Colorado -- his draft range remains fluid as teams shy away from this draft's signal-caller class beyond projected top overall pick Cam Ward.
CBS Sports writer Chris Traso sees red flags with Shedeur Sanders, shortcomings comparable to 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett. Pickett is already on his third NFL team after struggling for consistency with the Pittsburgh Steelers and serving as a backup for Jalen Hurts on the Philadelphia Eagles -- and Sanders' tendency to take sacks instead of extend a play reminds Traso of Pickett.
"Pickett 'saw ghosts' often at Pittsburgh, and that cardinal sin of quarterbacking followed him to the NFL, when he'd retreat backward and out of the pocket after two seconds, regardless of the pressure he was or wasn't facing," Traso wrote. "Sanders has a similar tendency. When in rhythm, both Pickett and Sanders can look like first-round-caliber ers and raise their respective floors. But they aren't athletic enough on the field to improvise when things break down on a regular basis."
Still, Traso has Sanders going ninth overall to the New Orleans Saints in his latest mock draft; figures around the franchise have revealed themselves to be big fans of Shedeur's work. Under new head coach Kellen Moore, Sanders could find a true believer who can maximize his strengths while minimizing his weaknesses.