Mel Kiper Jr.: Shedeur Sanders Isn't Type of QB NFL Is Looking For, Per Insider

At least one NFL insider reportedly believes Shedeur Sanders isn't the "kind of quarterback" NFL teams are looking for, according to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.

Kiper said to ESPN's Field Yates on Thursday's episode of the First Draft podcast that one NFL insider recently told him: "Shedeur's not really what we're looking for. The NFL's not really looking for that kind of quarterback now."

Sanders is coming out of his senior season at Colorado, where he led the FBS with a 74.0 percent completion rate while passing for 4,134 and 37 touchdowns to lead the Buffaloes to a bowl game appearance.

When discussing the insider's assessment of Sanders, Kiper indicated there could be some bias against what he called an "old-school pocket passer."

"I don't buy into the fact that Shedeur Sanders isn't an exciting prospect because he's not going to beat you with his legs, necessarily," Kiper said. "I think on third down, on 3rd-and-8, you're in man coverage, he can get the chains moving."

Kiper concluded: "We can't write off the old-school, traditional pocket passer, and I think that's what this ties into here."

Sanders has appeared to garner at least some early interest from NFL teams while meeting with representatives from the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns at the Shrine Bowl last month.

Scouts could potentially get a closer look at Sanders when the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine takes place in Indianapolis on Feb. 27, although the quarterback has not yet committed to throwing at the combine.

Until then, the value of quarterbacks in a draft class with relatively thin depth at the position will help keep Sanders projected as a potential first-round pick when the 2025 NFL draft kicks off in Green Bay on April 24.