NFL Exec: Shedeur Sanders 'Been the Best of the Bunch' From 2025 Draft QB Class

Although Miami's Cam Ward is expected by most to be the first quarterback off the board in the 2025 NFL draft, at least one NFL talent evaluator has been more impressed by Colorado's Shedeur Sanders.

According to ESPN's Jordan Reid, an anonymous assistant general manager for an NFC team was highly complimentary of Sanders, saying: "He's been the best of the bunch to me, and I've been impressed by his growth this year. The on-field demeanor has been contagious so far, and the results have shown on that team this year."

The assistant GM seemed to be primarily referring to Sanders' play at Colorado in 2024, which was much improved compared to his 2023 production.

After beginning his college career at FCS Jackson State, Sanders transferred to Colorado when his father, Deion Sanders, was named the Buffaloes head coach.

Shedeur played well in 2023, completing 69.3 percent of his passes for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and just three interceptions, but Colorado went just 4-8.

Last season, the Buffs improved to 9-4, and Sanders was a big reason why, as he completed 74.0 percent of his passing attempts for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 picks.

Sanders finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting and was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He also played a big role in his teammate, wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, winning the Heisman.

Like Ward, Sanders did not take part in any on-field work at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, deciding to wait until his pro day.

Sanders did take part in interviews, but some negative reports regarding his performance emerged after the fact.

NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that a quarterbacks coach from a team with a top-seven pick in the draft said Sanders came off as "brash" and "arrogant" during interviews.

Additionally, NFL draft insider Todd McShay reported that some teams believed Sanders didn't take a "professional approach" to the meetings.

However, ESPN's Turron Davenport and Jeremy Fowler reported that sources with the Tennessee Titans, who have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, felt their interviews with Sanders "went well."

Also, Ted Nguyen of The Athletic reported that NFL scouts are big fans of Sanders' "toughness, confidence and calmness in clutch situations."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported at the combine that most of the NFL talent evaluators he spoke to believe Ward will be the first quarterback taken in the draft.

Sanders seems to have plenty of fans even if he is somewhat polarizing, though, making him an intriguing option for quarterback-needy teams picking early in the draft, including the Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and New York Jets.