Yahoo NFL writer Charles McDonald predicts that Colorado Buffaloes star quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders No. 3 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. In his recent mock draft, Sanders was the second quarterback off the board, only behind Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward.
Though mock drafts often differ from one another, especially months out from the actual NFL Draft before consensus opinions form, Sanders’ positioning in McDonald’s recent mock is promising for Coach Prime’s son. Pro Football Network’s Dalton Miller recently slotted Sanders as the 27th pick in the upcoming draft.
Charles McDonald’s Reasoning Behind High Shedeur Sanders Projection
In McDonald’s article on Yahoo, the NFL analyst explained why he believed the Raiders could select the standout quarterback with the third overall pick.
“The Raiders are desperately in need of a franchise quarterback, and while they might have to squint a bit to find one in this class, Sanders at least has a chance to be that guy,” McDonald said. “What he lacks in overall physical talent he makes up for in knowledge of the position and good enough accuracy. That’s better than anything the Raiders have on their roster right now.”
PFN’s Miller highlighted Sanders’ standing among his contemporaries in his 2025 NFL Draft QB Rankings, marking the Colorado passer as his top option at the position this year.
“Sanders is the most naturally accurate passer in the class. He’s practically automatic when he’s able to work in rhythm,” Miller said.
“His quick, compact release makes up for what is just a slightly above-average arm. His anticipatory flashes are impressive, he operates cleanly over the middle of the field, and he consistently exhibits toughness in the face of free rushers (which happens a lot.)”
With the present optimism regarding Sanders’ status in this year’s draft, it’s possible he could be coveted as an early first-round pick.
Is Third Overall a Realistic Position for Sanders?
After a noteworthy season at the University of Colorado, Sanders appears to be entrenching himself in the first-round territory of the 2025 NFL Draft. While his draft stock varies among analysts and fans, there is no doubt that Sanders has put himself in a position to have the opportunity to succeed at the highest level of professional football.
While not considered the fastest runner or the strongest passer, Sanders is a unique blend of talent and football IQ. This season, he has consistently looked comfortable in the pocket and has been successful in reading defensive formations and schemes. From a talent perspective, he is extremely accurate and can fit the ball into tight windows with ease.
As Miller wrote, “Pressure-to-sack (P2S) rate has been a strong indicator of a passer’s ability to work within structure, play on time, and avoid unnecessary negative plays. However, each situation must be evaluated independently.
“For two years now Sanders has had a P2S rate of over 20%, which is worryingly high. While there is no denying the fact that he enjoys allowing intermediate concepts to develop in the dropback game, forcing him to hold the ball for a while, he’s also been playing behind arguably the worst Power Five, and now Power Four, offensive line in the nation.
“In other words, Sanders has already lived under the pressure of an NFL timeline for multiple years now. He’s already learned how to see things within 2.5 seconds. The process certainly isn’t perfect, but it’s like having a coloring book with the pictures already outlined for the artist.”
This season, Sanders has amassed 3,488 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and four rushing touchdowns while only committing seven interceptions through 11 games.
The son of the legendary Prime Time Deion Sanders has also been a driving force behind the Buffaloes’ success. Currently residing in fourth place in the Big 12 conference with an 8-3 record, Sanders leads one of the most prolific and dangerous offenses in the nation, one that also features top prospect Travis Hunter.
While it remains to be seen where and when Sanders is selected, it is clear that he has the ability and skills to be selected early in the first round and potentially provide a long-term solution at quarterback for any NFL franchise.