Breaking down Shedeur Sanders and his NFL Draft Stock

[Ed Vette]

Wait, are you saying trade back up into the first round to draft McCord? That would be insanity and a HUGE reach. I wouldn't even take him at the top of round 3.

You've seen a lot of his play, so I'll defer to you. You're right about his turnover-worthy plays. Although his increased to 22 from 15 last season, his % dropped. I've seen a nice improvement in his 2023 to 2024 season and although the competition was a big factor, his 31 Big Time Throws are the highest in the Nation. He also went from 38th in PFF Grade Passing 76.0, to 8th in the nation with a 87.5. Total pressures and sacks have much higher.

What I like about him is his quick decision-making, with little waste of motion and feet, he sets a quick base and hangs in the pocket with composure and fluid motion. He seems to read the defense well and make good decisions. I was impressed with his play against Miami and actually saw him learn on a throw to Jackson Meeks, and then hit him for a TD on the same play.

I'm watching his stock rise while others have hurt themselves in big moments. Like I've said, keep an eye on him and if the QB needy teams push the QBs up in the draft. I think his turnover-worthy plays can be corrected, because I don't see him gun-slinging at the next level, and his 65% completion percentage isn't exactly in the range of Richardson or Allen. I hope you're right, because he's really only had two seasons of full time play and is somewhat raw. Like I said, you should know better, but I would take a look at him along the Dart's and Milroe's bracket. 

[Stringer Bell]

You've seen a lot of his play, so I'll defer to you. You're right about his turnover-worthy plays. Although his increased to 22 from 15 last season, his % dropped. I've seen a nice improvement in his 2023 to 2024 season and although the competition was a big factor, his 31 Big Time Throws are the highest in the Nation. He also went from 38th in PFF Grade Passing 76.0, to 8th in the nation with a 87.5. Total pressures and sacks have much higher.

What I like about him is his quick decision-making, with little waste of motion and feet, he sets a quick base and hangs in the pocket with composure and fluid motion. He seems to read the defense well and make good decisions. I was impressed with his play against Miami and actually saw him learn on a throw to Jackson Meeks, and then hit him for a TD on the same play.

I'm watching his stock rise while others have hurt themselves in big moments. Like I've said, keep an eye on him and if the QB needy teams push the QBs up in the draft. I think his turnover-worthy plays can be corrected, because I don't see him gun-slinging at the next level, and his 65% completion percentage isn't exactly in the range of Richardson or Allen. I hope you're right, because he's really only had two seasons of full time play and is somewhat raw. Like I said, you should know better, but I would take a look at him along the Dart's and Milroe's bracket.

There are positives about his game, for sure. And you do a good job of making a case for him.

You're absolutely right that he gets the ball out fast. That is definitely a trait important to NFL coaches.

But I go back to his accuracy and something that doesn't show up on any stat sheet. You mention the turnovers, which are troubling. But it's not just that. And it's not even his completion %, which is average (not terrible, but not great).

It's that even when he completes a pass, a high % of them are not well placed balls. It's impossible to quantify, I know, but as someone who's seen as many of his games as I have, I can tell you that is the #1 thing I think that will prevent him from being successful in the NFL.

He's been able to get away with it largely because last year he had guys like Harrison making it look easy and then this year he saw a steep decline in the talent of his opposition.

But in the NFL, when he's facing elite cover guys and he's going to need to thread needles regularly, his lack of accuracy will be his undoing.

[Ed Vette]

There are positives about his game, for sure. And you do a good job of making a case for him.

You're absolutely right that he gets the ball out fast. That is definitely a trait important to NFL coaches.

But I go back to his accuracy and something that doesn't show up on any stat sheet. You mention the turnovers, which are troubling. But it's not just that. And it's not even his completion %, which is average (not terrible, but not great).

It's that even when he completes a pass, a high % of them are not well placed balls. It's impossible to quantify, I know, but as someone who's seen as many of his games as I have, I can tell you that is the #1 thing I think that will prevent him from being successful in the NFL.

He's been able to get away with it largely because last year he had guys like Harrison making it look easy and then this year he saw a steep decline in the talent of his opposition.

But in the NFL, when he's facing elite cover guys and he's going to need to thread needles regularly, his lack of accuracy will be his undoing.

He opens his hips at times on the hitch, usually the second hitch from the limited times I've watched him. That's correctable. It will cause the ball to go off-target. It's a bad habit like drifting to the left that many young QBs tend to do. I need to watch more film on him, because you're absolutely right, that the difference in hitting the pass in stride where it's best placed or not, is the difference in YAC and sometimes drops. I want to determine his anticipation and layering more.   

[todge]

LOL!  I've never been so unsure about a draft class...it could be boom or bust.  Hell, maybe we don't go QB this year...

Every QB class is boom or bust!

As to Sanders, hard to believe that his father would allow him to come on board with this train wreck.


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[DaveBrown74]

There are positives about his game, for sure. And you do a good job of making a case for him.

You're absolutely right that he gets the ball out fast. That is definitely a trait important to NFL coaches.

But I go back to his accuracy and something that doesn't show up on any stat sheet. You mention the turnovers, which are troubling. But it's not just that. And it's not even his completion %, which is average (not terrible, but not great).

It's that even when he completes a pass, a high % of them are not well placed balls. It's impossible to quantify, I know, but as someone who's seen as many of his games as I have, I can tell you that is the #1 thing I think that will prevent him from being successful in the NFL.

He's been able to get away with it largely because last year he had guys like Harrison making it look easy and then this year he saw a steep decline in the talent of his opposition.

But in the NFL, when he's facing elite cover guys and he's going to need to thread needles regularly, his lack of accuracy will be his undoing.

This is good color on McCord. Badly placed balls that are still completions should impact metrics like YPA. His isn't bad, but the ACC is pretty brutal, so the context has to be taken into account. Let's not forget this is the conference that Kenny Pickett put up sick numbers in.

I have cooled off a little bit on Shedeur. I didn't like the stuff that Stringer illuminated about him throwing his teammates under the bus. That goes beyond immaturity. That's just being a bad guy, and when it comes to QBs I have higher expectations for their conduct than I do other positions.

Also have concerns about his penchant for holding the ball too long.

What I like about him remains unchanged: think he throws a beautiful ball and think he exhibits poise in the pocket and good mechanics, as Ed noted.

It's too bad Colorado won't be in the playoffs because I'd like to see him against a good team. Deion has indicated both he and Hunter will play in whatever bowl game they're in at least, so that should be against someone better than much of the opponents he faced this year and last year.

[TDToomer]

Every QB class is boom or bust!

As to Sanders, hard to believe that his father would allow him to come on board with this train wreck.


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Hard to believe his father, a master of marketing, wouldn't allow him to play in the advertising capital of the USA. 20 years ago another son of a football family refused to not play for this train wreck.