Kiper Hypes Shedeur amid Rumors: 'Won't Find a Tougher or More Resilient QB' Prospect

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. apparently isn't among the insiders doubting Shedeur Sanders' first-round pick status.

Kiper ranked Sanders ahead of Miami quarterback Cam Ward as the 2025 NFL Draft's No. 5 prospect on his latest Big Board.

"You won't find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 99 sacks over the past two seasons but still put up really strong numbers," Kiper wrote.

Kiper continued:

"I'm always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he's not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening."

Kiper's assessment of Sanders' skills come amid a report that his comments during last week's NFL Scouting Combine left a negative impression on some NFL insiders.

NFL Network's Peter Schrager recently said on The Bill Simmons Podcast that Sanders "rubbed people wrong" by asserting he would "change the franchise or the culture" of whichever NFL team picked him in the draft.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler and Ted Nguyen reported Wednesday that "not every team has a first-round grade" on Sanders.

As noted by Nguyen, however, that lack of consensus doesn't mean Sanders won't ultimately hear his name called on Day 1.

Multiple teams set to draft within the top ten, including the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets, are in immediate need of a quarterback. One could decide to take a swing at Sanders early, especially if Ward is already off the board.

Whichever team does choose Sanders can then hope his success behind Colorado's relatively weak offensive line will translate to the NFL.