Shedeur Sanders emerged from the 2024 college season as a top-ranked quarterback, coveted by many NFL teams who are in need of a signal-caller. Now, with the 2025 NFL Draft just a few months away, analysts and enthusiasts alike are discussing his future potential in the league, and where his draft stock lies based on that.
Kurt Benkert’s Analysis of Shedeur Sanders
Former QB Kurt Benkert has also put forth his assessment of Sanders in a tweet posted on Jan. 31. While many media outlets have Sanders projected as a top-10 pick, Benkert thinks differently and gave his reason why.
“I look at him as a mid to late first round pick if not through the second round,” Benkert said. “There’s a true opportunity cost when you take a quarterback high and I don’t think grabbing him in the top 10 is worth missing out on a top receiver, DB, edge rusher, or lineman.”
“What I will say is that his skill set reminds me of a blend of CJ Stroud meets Jared Goff — he’s just a lesser version of those guys as of today (doesn’t mean he can’t get there). I do love a lot of what I saw in film from him – he’s a smooth athlete and a good processor, he also does a pretty decent job of taking care of the football.”
Naming coaches who would create a system for Sanders where he would do well more as a playmaker rather than carrying the offense on his own, Benkert said:
“I’d love to see him in a system with Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, or even in Miami or Pittsburgh where he can play point guard and operate the offense as a distributor, and make the extra plays when needed. He can’t be a superhero if that’s what you need him for, but he for sure can play ball and be an asset for a team.”
My honest assessment of Shedeur Sanders after watching more film:
I think there are teams that would love to have him, and there are certain offenses his play style would thrive in. If I was a team with a top 10, pick, I would be really skeptical about taking him there. They… pic.twitter.com/vHEMYlXQFB
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) January 31, 2025
The Colorado QB threw for 4,134 yards while boasting a 74.0% completion rate, adding 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2024. Pro Football Network’s latest mock draft by Chris Dodson has pegged Sanders as the No. 6 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The franchise’s biggest priority this offseason and in the draft is finding a quarterback. They haven’t had stability at the position in the past few seasons, and Sanders could be the answer.