NFL Draft intel: Is Colorado's Shedeur Sanders trailing in race for QB1?

Each week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled April 24-26 in Green Bay. 

From a Colorado quarterback to an LSU offensive lineman, here are five players we are tracking: 

Is Colorado's Shedeur Sanders no longer a QB1 candidate?

Sanders (6-foot-1, 212 pounds) didn't work out at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 27-March 3 in Indianapolis, where he may have missed an opportunity to raise his stock. 

"A lot of people want to like Shedeur Sanders," ESPN's Matt Miller said Tuesday on "The Dan Patrick Show." "I don't get the feeling that teams love him, not the way they do [Miami QB] Cam Ward. There's a sizeable gap right now."

In a story published March 1, Miller stacked Ward (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) and Sanders against the 19 first-round QBs since 2020. Sanders ranked second to last, ahead of Philadelphia Eagles backup QB Kenny Pickett, a former Pittsburgh Steelers starter.

Sanders — who completed 74 percent of his passes in 13 starts in 2024 —  must make up ground at Big 12 pro days March 18-21 in Frisco, Texas. He's expected to throw at the event.

Texas WR Matthew Golden's speed has him flying up draft boards

At the combine, Golden (5-foot-11, 191 pounds) ran a 4.29-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time among WRs.

On a March 1 episode of his podcast, The Ringer's Todd McShay suggested Golden could pass Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) as the draft's WR1.

"[Golden's] crispness and sharpness on the football field is his secret sauce," McShay said. "I think when it's all said and done, I'm gonna have him as my No. 1 receiver." 

McMillan had 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight TD catches in 12 games in 2024. Golden, meanwhile, logged 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine TD catches in 16 games.

Could Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart be a top-10 pick?

On Wednesday, The Athletic's Mike Sando released his mock draft featuring thoughts from five NFL executives. One had the New York Jets taking Dart — who tossed 29 TD passes in 13 starts in 2024 — with pick No. 7.

"They gotta get a quarterback, and this might be where Jaxson Dart goes," the exec. told Sando. "They are sitting there with Tyrod Taylor as their starter right now."

Pro Football Focus' Nick Akridge gave the 6-foot-2, 223-pounder a second- or third-round grade.

Sando's 2024 mock correctly predicted five of the draft's top-10 picks. 

Is Virginia Tech's Bhayshul Tuten a top-five RB in the class? 

At the combine, Tuten ranked first among RBs in the 40-yard dash (4.32 seconds) and vertical jump (40.5 inches). 

On Thursday, CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave Tuten (5-foot-9, 206 pounds) a second-round grade after his impressive performance.

"[Tuten] went into the combine as my RB3 in this class ahead of [North Carolina's] Omarion Hampton," wrote Trapasso. "He should be one of the first five running backs off the board after his athleticism clinic in Indianapolis."

In two seasons at Virginia Tech, Tuten — a North Carolina A&T transfer — rushed for 2,022 yards and 25 touchdowns on 356 carries.

Is LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell's arm length a concern?

Campbell's arm length was measured at 32 5/8 inches at the combine, which may make playing tackle in the NFL more difficult. According to ESPN's Jeff Legwold, a 34-inch arm length is considered the "minimum benchmark" for the league's top pass-rushers. 

Campbell, however, insists his arm length doesn't matter. On March 1, he told Legwold, "You can go look at my tape, there's not one play on there that when I get beat you say that's because he has shorter arms."

Per PFF, Campbell (6-foot-6, 319 pounds) allowed just four sacks in three seasons at LSU. He also earned a 2024 first-team All-American nod.

Perhaps that's why the OT's arm length doesn't seem to be affecting his stock. In his latest mock draft, The Athletic's Dane Brugler has the Jacksonville Jaguars taking Campbell with pick No. 5.