Colorado Buffaloes News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

How Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders stacks up in early NFL mock drafts

By Jonathan Adams | Last updated 9/15/23

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has moved from a 2024 NFL Draft sleeper to a potential first-round pick after just two games with the Buffaloes. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has already seen enough to crown Sanders the No. 5 overall prospect on his Big Board and the No. 3-rated quarterback for the 2024 draft.

Considering Sanders' numbers through his first two games at Colorado — 903 passing yards, six touchdown passes, a stellar 77.5% completion rate and no interceptions — this comes as no surprise.

When Sanders uses his legs, it is typically to open up passing opportunities such as the play in the clip below. Sanders — who will showcase his skills again Saturday against Colorado State — may be a reluctant runner but still has the skill set to be a dual-threat QB when plays break down.

Third-and-10 cross-body throw from Shedeur Sanders, rolling to his left. Woo goodness. pic.twitter.com/g1HhdXl7Od
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) September 9, 2023

Who could draft Shedeur Sanders?

CBS Sports' Josh Edwards has Sanders going No. 14 to the Denver Broncos in his latest mock draft. This projection indicates Russell Wilson will not have a bounce-back season under head coach Sean Payton, which could once again put Denver back in the market for a quarterback.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler labeled Sanders as an "early-round prospect" after Colorado's season-opening win over TCU. Heading into the college football season, Brugler had Sanders as his No. 6-ranked underclassmen quarterback.

Shedeur Sanders isn’t @seniorbowl eligible but we’ll take some notes today just in case he doesn’t declare for this year‘s NFL draft.

Maybe we’ll get him next year. ‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/VQcCGNlQsD
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 9, 2023

Yardbarker's Seth Trachtman didn't slot Sanders among the four quarterbacks in his latest first-round mock draft. Draft Wire's Curt Popejoy, meanwhile, has the Lions snagging Sanders at No. 25 as a potential replacement for Jared Goff. That move is eyebrow-raising given Detroit's selection of former Tennessee star Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 draft.

Could Shedeur Sanders be the No. 3 QB in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Sanders is on the rise, but it could be a tall task for the star to catch USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye as the top QB prospects. Williams is a heavy favorite in the Vegas odds to be the No. 1 pick in 2024, followed by Maye.

The race for the No. 3 quarterback in the 2024 draft appears to be wide open.

The QB3 race will be a tight one for the 2024 draft, but so far, the strongest case this year is being made by Shedeur Sanders.

His poise, decision-making and accuracy stood out at Jackson State, and he’s made the jump to Colorado insanely well so far. pic.twitter.com/kINywU3h5O
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) September 9, 2023

Kiper Jr. labeled Sanders as a "guaranteed" first-round pick but added that the Colorado quarterback would be the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick in 2025 if he remains in Boulder for an additional season.

After his first two seasons at Jackson State, Sanders is finally facing top-level competition at Colorado, which has big games upcoming against Oregon (Sept. 23), USC (Sept. 30) and Utah (Nov. 25).

Sanders has thrived at throwing the ball deep and showing off his accuracy.

#Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders

Accuracy, ball placement and poise. Three traits that immediately jump out from Week 1. pic.twitter.com/UPScpkxDTc
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) September 8, 2023

Two areas for Sanders to improve on, however, are showcasing a quicker release and using his legs more. If Sanders can make these improvements, he will have a chance to hear his name called sooner rather than later in the 2024 NFL Draft.

More must-reads: