- NCAA. Shedeur Sanders makes big mistake and 'cuts off' communication with NFL teams
- NFL. Shedeur Sanders spotted with Browns, Vikings, and Saints hats at NFL Combine
The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is right around the corner, kicking off February 27 in Indianapolis, and all eyes are on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders -well, almost. The buzz around the former Buffaloes star is taking a hit, thanks to a blunt takedown from Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer.
With Sanders opting to skip throwing drills at the Combine and focus on team interviews instead, Breer's scathing analysis is stirring the pot, suggesting the QB's draft stock might be slipping. Here's the lowdown on why this critique's got fans and scouts talking.
Breer didn't hold back on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, saying, "He's not a great athlete. He doesn't have a big arm. Where is the superpower that's going to make you want to take him in the top 5?" That's a gut punch for a guy once pegged as a lock for the No. 1 pick. Sanders, son of NFL icon Deion Sanders, lit up college football in 2024 with a nation-leading 74% completion rate, 4,134 ing yards, and 37 touchdowns. But Breer's point?
It's not about stats-it's about that "wow" factor. "Are you special in any one area? Do you have a superpower trait?" he asked, comparing Sanders to AFC studs like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, who bring elite athleticism or arm strength to the table.
Sanders skips combine throws as insider doubts his athletic edge
The critique lands at a tricky time. Sanders is sitting out Combine workouts, a move mirrored by last year's top QBs like Caleb Williams, instead saving his throws for Colorado's Pro Day. Breer sees him as a "Mac Jones type"-reliable, pro-ready, but lacking the ceiling teams crave in a top-5 pick.
"He can stabilize a position... but in Year 3 or 4, are you left wanting more?" Breer mused. That's the rub: Sanders' accuracy and poise are top-notch, but his average arm and mobility might not scream "franchise savior" to QB-needy teams like the Titans or Browns.
Fans on X are split-some call it "harsh but fair," others argue his tape proves he's elite. Deion's bold claim on Get Up that Shedeur's thrived despite seven coordinators in four years adds fuel to the fire, but Breer's words sting.
With Miami's Cam Ward rising as QB1, Sanders' stock could slide if he doesn't dazzle at Pro Day. For now, he's got a chance to charm teams in Indy interviews-because if he can't, that "not a great athlete" label might stick.