Mock draft predicts massive slide for Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders

Is Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders no longer a surefire top-10 pick?

In his latest mock draft, The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner had the New York Jets taking Sanders with pick No. 28 after a trade with the Detroit Lions, comparing his potential slide to that of Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis.

"It's absolutely possible Sanders falls into the second round — his situation feels incredibly similar to what we saw with Will Levis in 2023," wrote Baumgardner. "Teams did not see Levis as a top-15 player, and most didn't see him as a first-rounder."

In his final 2023 mock draft, NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah had the Indianapolis Colts taking Levis with pick No. 4. The former Kentucky star fell to the Titans at pick No. 33 in the second round instead. Levis has a 5-16 starting record in two seasons with the club. 

During the 2023 NFL Draft, former ESPN analyst Todd McShay (now with The Ringer) said some teams felt Levis lacked "an ideal personality" for an NFL QB. 

Like Levis, some teams may think Sanders' personality is an issue. In a story published March 4, NBC Sports' Matthew Berry reported two teams felt Sanders interviewed poorly at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

"[Two people on two different teams] both said it was a bad meeting and that he came off as unprofessional and disinterested," wrote Berry. "Both also said that after the meeting, they had a lesser opinion of him than prior. These same people both met with [Miami QB] Cam Ward as well, and both said they loved Ward, and it was a great meeting."

Sanders (6-foot-2, 212 pounds) may benefit from a thin QB class. On his updated QB board, ESPN's Jordan Reid gave only Sanders and Ward (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) first-round grades. 

Plus, Sanders' college stats were better than those of Levis. In two seasons at Colorado, he completed 71.8% of his passes for 7,364 yards and 64 touchdown passes. In two seasons at Kentucky, Levis completed 65.7% of his passes for 5,233 yards and 43 TD passes. However, he faced tougher competition in the SEC. 

Regardless, monitor whether Sanders' stock plummets or improves before the 2025 draft, scheduled April 24-26 in Green Bay.