Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado: Scouting Report

Height: 6’2

Weight: 215

Overall

Shedeur Sanders is a talented quarterback in Colorado’s pass-heavy offense. He began his career at Jackson State where he played for 2 seasons, starting all 25 games he appeared in. He then transferred to Colorado where over 2 seasons he played in and started 25 games. He is a very talented player with some elite traits but he needs to be coached up at the next level before he can be a consistent starter.

Pass Game

In the pocket, Sanders has very inconsistent footwork and he makes a lot of off-balanced throws rather than setting his feet. He has a quick release but he pats the ball before every throw causing him to get the ball out late at times. When under pressure, he shows the athleticism to escape the pocket and avoid defenders but far too often he will run backwards rather than stepping up in the pocket resulting in big losses behind the line of scrimmage. He struggles with pocket awareness and feeling oncoming pressure and lead will be a big problem in the NFL if he does not improve in that area. As a passer, he has an elite arm and has excellent velocity on his throws allowing him to fit the ball into some very tight windows. He is very accurate when throwing over the middle of the field and to the far sidelines. He has good touch on his deep balls but he underthrew multiple open receivers deep down the field on film.

Run Game

As a runner, Sanders has the elusiveness to get around defenders and get up the field but he lacks the explosiveness and speed to be a true consistent threat on designed quarterback runs. He was used occasionally on read options while at Colorado but that was mainly on short yardage and goal line plays. He is a good athlete but he plays his best ball from inside the pocket.

Last Word

Shedeur Sanders has the arm talent to develop into a very good NFL quarterback but due to his lack of pocket awareness and inconsistent mechanics he is currently a “win with” quarterback rather than a “win because of” quarterback. He projects best in a balanced offense where he can command the offense but not have to be relied on to make big time throws in critical moments to begin his career. Once he gets coached up and is more polished he can transition into leading a pass heavy offense.

One-Liner: Shedeur Sanders has elite arm talent to be successful in the pros but his inconsistencies in his decision making and mechanics will result in some growing pains at the beginning of his career.

Grade: 6.6 (Lower End Starting Quarterback)

Games Watched: 2024 - North Dakota State, Baylor, Nebraska, Kansas State

Team Fits: Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns