Shedeur Sanders is projected to be either the first or second quarterback off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, in recent weeks, rumors have surfaced about Sanders potentially slipping in the draft as teams sign or trade for veteran quarterbacks.
One former college and NFL coach weighed in on Sanders’ draft stock and why it could be falling.
Urban Meyer Shares Update on Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Stock
Urban Meyer is no stranger to the NFL Draft process. The longtime college head coach is a three-time national champion and had a brief stint as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Having both lost players to the NFL and evaluated prospects, Meyer has seen the draft process from both sides.
“I called a GM friend of mine, and [Shedeur Sanders] slipped a little bit here,” Meyer said on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd. “The reason he’s slipping is they’re looking at the competition that he played. I don’t know if I necessarily agree with that. But I understand, throughout the NFL, there’s a concern about if he can make the throw in the tight windows because, in the Big 12 conference, he didn’t have to do that very much.”
Meyer added, “You look at his big plays; a lot of them were on the run, and you know that’s not necessarily what they’re looking for in the NFL. They want a guy that can drop back and make that tight window throw. There’s some question marks if he can do that.”
Sanders led the Big 12 in nearly every passing category, completing 353 of 477 passes (74%) for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, averaging 318 yards per game. His 71.8% career completion percentage is an FBS record.
Another potential reason for Sanders’ slide could be the influx of veteran quarterback moves early in the offseason. The Las Vegas Raiders acquired Geno Smith for a third-round pick, and the New York Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year contract. Both teams hold top-seven picks in the draft and were linked to Sanders, but with new quarterbacks on the roster, it’s unclear if they are still in the market for a rookie QB.
Additionally, the Giants and Browns are two more teams at the top of the draft that have been linked to quarterbacks, but both have also pursued veteran options. The Browns traded for Kenny Pickett and met with Russell Wilson, while the Giants are set to meet with Wilson and have been heavily linked to Aaron Rodgers.
Cam Ward’s NFL Draft Stock Holding Steady
While Sanders’ stock is reportedly “slipping,” fellow top quarterback prospect Cam Ward appears to be holding steady. Ward is a potential option for the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants, who hold the first three picks in the draft.
In 2024, Ward completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He led the ACC in passing touchdowns, yards per attempt, and yards per completion while leading Miami to a 10-3 record.
Several factors will determine where Sanders is drafted in 2025. However, as always, it only takes one team to disagree with the consensus and select him in the top 10.
The battle between Ward and Sanders will be a significant storyline leading up to the NFL Draft, and how they perform at their pro days could influence their stock.