Shedeur Sanders, the standout quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, has garnered widespread attention as a potential top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
With an impressive stat line of 2,591 yards, 21 touchdowns, and a 73.3% completion rate across eight games this season, many analysts predict he’ll be among the first five players selected.
However, a former NFL scout has cast a shadow over these lofty expectations, pointing out several red flags that could jeopardize Sanders‘ professional prospects.
Daniel Kelly, a former New York Jets scout, recently shared a detailed critique on X, outlining five key reasons why NFL teams should think twice before investing in Sanders.
The first issue Kelly raised was Sanders‘ hesitation in decision-making. According to Kelly, Sanders has been sacked 77 times over the past two seasons, with an additional 58 sacks during his time at Jackson State.
His career total of 135 sacks underscores a recurring problem. “This hesitation highlights slower mental processing, a major drawback in the NFL,” Kelly stated.
Another critique focused on Sanders‘ lack of anticipation in throwing to receivers. Kelly observed that Sanders often waits for a receiver to complete their route before releasing the ball, a habit that limits opportunities against NFL-level defenses.
“NFL quarterbacks need to throw before the break, not after,” Kelly emphasized.
Ball security also emerged as a concern, with Kelly noting that while Sanders has thrown only nine interceptions over two seasons, he has a high number of pass breakups.
“Defenders are getting their hands on 2.55 of his passes per game, which highlights a deeper issue than interceptions alone,” Kelly explained.
Kelly also flagged Sanders‘ prior ankle injury as a potential long-term concern, questioning its impact on his durability in the physically demanding NFL environment.
There are 5 reasons #NFL teams should be concerned about Shedeur Sanders:
1. Hesitation pulling the trigger. Sanders is the most sacked quarterback in college football over the past two seasons (77 sacks and counting). The popular scapegoat is “Colorado’s offensive line.”… pic.twitter.com/kOY5tP8tu5
? FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) November 8, 2024
Character Issues Add Another Layer of Concern
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Kelly’s critique was his list of 10 character concerns. Among these were instances of unsportsmanlike behavior, such as verbal altercations before games, taunting opponents, and refusing to shake hands with rival players after matches.
Notable incidents included Sanders grabbing an opponent’s mouthpiece and throwing it into the stands, as well as flexing his expensive watch to fans in a provocative manner.
Kelly also pointed to Sanders blaming teammates for his own mistakes and walking off the field before a game’s conclusion. “Shedeur Sanders needs to demonstrate greater maturity and professionalism if he hopes to succeed in the NFL,” Kelly concluded.
Despite the critiques, Sanders remains a highly talented prospect with the potential to thrive at the next level. However, the combination of on-field challenges and off-field concerns could make NFL teams hesitant.
Addressing these issues-both in his gameplay and character-will be crucial for Sanders as he prepares to enter the professional ranks.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the spotlight on Sanders will only intensify. Whether he can rise above these concerns and solidify his status as a top prospect remains to be seen. For now, the young quarterback has a lot to prove.
