NFL Draft Rumors: Teams 'Concerned' Shedeur Sanders 'Showed No Real Progress' in 2024

NFL teams reportedly have a few concerns about Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders as a prospect ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.

"Teams I've spoken with are concerned Sanders showed no real progress in his game last season, unlike Cam Ward, and that he will need a lot of coaching to get rid of some of the poor throwing fundamentals he displayed this past season," Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reported Monday. "The Deion Factor, which I wrote about from Shrine Bowl practices, is a concern for franchises."

Statistically, Sanders was better in 2024 by most measures, finishing with more passing yards (4,134 in 2024 compared to 3,230 in 2023) and touchdowns (37 to 27); a better completion percentage (74 percent to 69.3 percent); and fewer sacks (42 to 52). Where he regressed was in the turnovers department, however, going from just three interceptions in 2023 to 10 last season.

Sanders is still a lock to be a first-round pick and could be off the board within the first five selections, but he is not considered one of the truly elite prospects available in this draft. The B/R Scouting Department ranked him No. 16 on its big board in early February, while NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah had him at No. 15 in his big board released on Monday. Both big boards had Ward ranked higher.

Teams prioritize quarterbacks highly, so Sanders won't have to wait long to hear his name picked. Where he might end up, however, will remain a major point of intrigue leading up to the draft.