Shedeur Sanders. Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Insiders says teams don't consider Shedeur Sanders a first-round pick

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Jan 6, 2025 5:40 PM ET

The NFL regular season is complete and the so-called "Black Monday" has commenced. Non-playoff teams are either clearing house or beginning preparations for the draft in April.

Those picking in the top three, namely the Tennessee Titans (No. 1), Cleveland Browns (No. 2) and New York Giants (No. 3), will be on the lookout for franchise-altering talent.

Heisman Trophy winner, Colorado's Travis Hunter, comes to mind as a player who will be selected that high, but those teams are also quarterback-needy.

Hunter's teammate, Shedeur Sanders, was discussed all season long as one of the top passers to be considered in the first round. One insider, however, says that might not be the case anymore.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero told "The Rich Eisen Show" on Friday that he's heard team scouts describe Sanders' talents as not worthy of a first-round selection.

"I've already talked to people within the league who don't have anything close to a first-round grade on the guy," Pelissero said.

ESPN's Field Yates mocked Sanders to the Giants at first overall in mid-December, but could teams really be cooling on him already?

"In my conversations, there is healthy skepticism among people in the league ... that somebody's going to jump out there and use a really high pick on making him a franchise QB," Pelissero continued.

Sanders finished with 4,134 passing yards and 41 total touchdowns in 2024, good for fourth and second in the FBS, respectively.

Some may remember he played in the Alamo Bowl wearing New York Giants custom cleats, effectively declaring his desired landing spot. However, at the time New York owned the No. 1 overall pick and since then has fallen to third.

When and where Sanders winds up being selected will be the subject of much speculation leading into April but these new insights may be concerning for his camp.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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