Earlier in the week, an interesting financial comparison was made between the rookie contract of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Deion Sanders and the current NIL valuation of Shedeur Sanders. In a social media post released to X (formerly known as Twitter), one user showed how different the financial state of college football and the NFL is in 2024 than it was in the 1980s and ’90s.
This year, both Deion and Shedeur were crucial members of the Colorado Buffaloes football program and have completely changed its outlook since arriving in Boulder, Colo. Due in large part to both men, the Buffaloes finished the campaign with a record of 9-3, which resulted in a fourth-place finish in the Big 12 conference.
What Did the Post Display About Deion Sanders and Shedeur Sanders?
The financial values of both Prime Time’s rookie contract and Shedeur’s current NIL valuation were compared, which sparked surprise.
Coach Prime’s rookie contract, signed in 1989, was a five-year, $5.2 million deal. Meanwhile, Shedeur’s current NIL valuation is estimated at $6.5 million.
Shedeur Sanders’ NIL valuation this year is more than the total value of Deion’s rookie NFL contract from 1989😳
How times have changed💸 pic.twitter.com/BKOyCzGQCa
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) December 25, 2024
“Shedeur Sanders’ NIL valuation this year is more than the total value of Deion’s rookie NFL contract from 1989😳 How times have changed💸,” the post details.
Shedeur Sanders 2025 NFL Draft Projection Amid High NIL Valuation
As is clear from his NIL valuation, Shedeur is one of the top prospects available in the 2025 NFL Draft. This sentiment is shared by Pro Football Network’s Alex Kennedy, who projects Sanders will be selected No. 1 overall by the New York Giants in his latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
As Kennedy noted, “PFN’s Playoff Predictor not only projects the playoff picture and Super Bowl winner, it also predicts which team will land the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Factoring in each team’s record, metrics, and remaining schedule, our model gives the New York Giants the best odds to pick No. 1 overall (43.2%), and they currently hold the top selection. New York has remaining games against the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons (road).
By selecting Shedeur Sanders, the Giants land their quarterback of the future to pair with Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy Jr. Arm strength and accuracy are two of the most distinct selling points on Sanders’ tape.
He generates easy velocity and has a degree of off-platform freedom. And while his mechanics aren’t perfect, he can find uncanny ways to hit targets with good placement and touch.”