With the NFL Scouting Combine behind us, a flurry of mock drafts from the industry’s top analysts has been released, and NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has one of the more eye-catching ones, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders nearly falling out of the first round.
The Latest Buzz on Shedeur Sanders
In Zierlein’s latest mock draft, he has Sanders slipping to No. 29. The Washington Commanders originally held this pick, but in this scenario, the Cleveland Browns traded up from No. 33 overall to grab the Colorado signal-caller.
Regarding the pick, Zierlein writes, “Sanders’ slide is over, as the Browns flip their No. 33 overall pick and an additional selection to the Commanders in order to take a swing at a QB of the future.”
Not only do they secure their quarterback of the future, but they also gain his fifth-year team option, adding significant value.
After his mock draft, Zierlein took to X to share his thoughts on it and the reaction it received.
“My second mock draft is where the bullets start flying because people are too used to the narratives.
Last year, I should’ve been fired for having Jayden Daniels ahead of Drake Maye at number two. This year, I should be fired for having Shedeur Sanders slide in the first. I guess we’ll see.”
Where Does PFSN Have Shedeur Sanders Landing?
In the wake of Zierlein’s mock draft, where does PFSN’s Jacob Infante have Sanders landing? In his latest mock draft on March 1, 2025, Infante has the Raiders trading up to the No. 1 overall pick with the Tennessee Titans to select Sanders.
Infante notes that the trade would include the Raiders’ No. 6, No. 37, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick.
This is a sharp contrast to Zierlein’s take on Sanders. Regarding the pick, Infante writes, “The marriage of Shedeur Sanders and the Las Vegas Raiders feels too good to be true. With Las Vegas in desperate need of an answer at quarterback, they move up a few spots to find their quarterback of the future.
Sanders is an accurate passer who stays tough in the pocket and delivers his throws with a sense of touch down the field. Having a head coach like Pete Carroll and a superstar target like Brock Bowers would help the Colorado star mask his shortcomings and emphasize his strengths.”
Shedeur Sanders’ Scouting Report
PFSN’s Infante also wrote a scouting report for Sanders, in which he detailed his strengths and weaknesses, as well as his draft projection.
Infante wrote, “Sanders is an accurate and tough quarterback with a well-built frame and plenty of throws, hitting his targets in stride from each deep third of the field. He has a good enough arm to execute throws to targets in tight windows, and there’s a natural sense of timing that tells him where to place the ball right where only his receivers can get it.
“That said, there’s some mental development that needs to take place for Sanders. He’s shown that he’s capable of making full-field reads, but he tends to play Superman when he doesn’t have the raw physical talent to make that work.
“His arm, though acceptable, isn’t particularly special. He’s not a statue in the pocket, but his athleticism is average. These issues can see him try too hard to extend plays that he simply can’t make, resulting in sacks or poor throws.
“Compared to the quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, I would argue Sanders would come in seventh as a prospect, ranking behind each of the six quarterbacks selected in the first round. This might make him more of a Day 2 talent, but the 2025 NFL Draft has a severe lack of high-end quarterback value.
“Sanders arguably has the highest floor of any quarterback in the class, and he has the tools to become a solid starter in the NFL. In the right system, he could lead a team to a playoff run. Because of average physical tools, the ceiling likely does not go much further than that. However, a respectable starting quarterback is a valuable asset in today’s game, which should see him selected with a top-10 pick come April.”