Mel Kiper Jr.: Shedeur Sanders Would've Been Ranked QB4 on 2024 NFL Draft Big Board

Shedeur Sanders will undoubtedly be one of the first quarterbacks off the board in the 2025 NFL draft, but one draft expert believes he also would have been an early pick in last year's draft.

Mel Kiper of ESPN said on Wednesday that he would have the Colorado quarterback as the fourth quarterback off the board, just behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, who were the top three picks in April.

"From a grades standpoint, Shedeur would be fourth," Kiper said (22:20 mark). "Behind the elite three and then fall in right there with (J.J.) McCarthy, (Michael) Penix and (Bo) Nix. That's where Shedeur and Cam Ward would fall. The grades would be closer to them than it would to the top three."

Sanders has had an outstanding season, throwing for 3,488 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions along with four touchdowns on the ground. Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department lists him as the No. 9 overall player in this year's draft class and the No. 2 quarterback, just behind Miami's Cam Ward.

This year's draft might not see as many quarterbacks taken in the first round as last year, but with the way Sanders has played, it's well within reason to think he could be selected on Day 1.

Behind Sanders, Colorado is 8-3 on the year after going 4-8 last season. While the Buffs' College Football Playoff hopes took a hit with last week's upset loss to Kansas, they can steal make the Big 12 championship and have a chance to get an automatic bid to the CFP if they win in the title game.

First, they'll have to handle business against Oklahoma State on Friday.