Pumping the brakes: Is Shedeur Sanders really the best player?

Last year, I was at Notre Dame v. USC when Caleb Williams threw several interceptions early in the game. I remember many analysts, who previously praised him as a high draft pick and Heisman Trophy lock before that game, start to reconsider after his lackluster performance. That game quite possibly caused him to lose the top college honor to Jayden Daniels.

Shedeur has shown a high level of talent as the starting quarterback for the University of Colorado, where he led his team with confidence and impressive stats. His ability to read defenses, his arm strength, and his leadership on the field make him a top candidate for the draft, but is he the best overall player?

While Shedeur has put up impressive numbers at Colorado, the level of competition he faces in college football is a key question. Colorado’s strength of schedule in the Pac-12 (and the Big 12) is a step up from what he faced previously at Jackson State, but it still doesn’t compare to the weekly grind of top SEC or Big Ten teams. NFL scouts will want to see how Shedeur performs against elite defenses consistently, especially those with NFL-caliber athletes.

One of Shedeur’s biggest strengths is his arm talent, but scouts will want to see how consistently he can place passes in tight windows, particularly on intermediate and deep throws. He has shown flashes of accuracy but will need to prove he can consistently make high-level throws under pressure and in tight windows against elite defenses. His performance in big games will be crucial here, when evaluating the film.

While Shedeur has good pocket awareness and can extend plays with his legs, he’s not known for his elite athleticism or scrambling ability like some other top QB prospects, including Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. In today’s NFL, having the ability to make plays outside the pocket is important, and while Shedeur can do it, he’s not quite as dynamic as other dual-threat quarterbacks. His athleticism might be seen as a limitation in certain systems.

Shedeur has primarily played in an offense that emphasizes quick passes, screen plays, and a fast tempo. While he’s shown he can thrive in that system, NFL offenses tend to be more pro-style, with greater emphasis on reading complex defenses and making faster, more nuanced decisions. Scouts will want to see how he adjusts to a more traditional, pro-style system and whether he can handle the complexity and speed of the NFL.

Another big question mark is how well Shedeur handles pressure in high-stakes situations. While he’s been cool and collected in many games, there are still moments where his decision-making can be a bit erratic, especially under duress. NFL defenses are much more sophisticated and aggressive than what he’s seen in college, and he’ll need to prove he can keep his composure, make the right reads quickly, and avoid turnovers under pressure.

While Shedeur has shown a lot of confidence and leadership on the field, there will be concerns about how he handles adversity in the NFL. Playing for a losing team, dealing with injuries, or facing intense media scrutiny are all realities that could challenge him. How he responds to those challenges, especially as a rookie, will be under close scrutiny.

I’m starting to see that same dynamic play out with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. It felt like Deja vu to watch BYU’s thumping of the Buffaloes yet see ESPN graphics as Sanders being Mel Kiper’s top draft pick. Sanders didn’t have a bad game necessarily, but he did have two interceptions, was sacked four times and looked out of sorts. Might this be a time when NFL Draft experts and scouts in the league pump the breaks on his stock? We’ll see.