The NFL Draft is always full of surprises, but perhaps the biggest shocker of the 2024 event was the slide of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Widely projected as a potential first-round pick, Sanders ultimately went unselected on Day 1. While some expressed disbelief, a closer look at his college performance and pre-draft evaluations reveals that this outcome, though surprising to some, shouldn't have been completely unexpected.
The "Prime" Factor: A Shield That Eventually Cracked
For years, Shedeur Sanders benefited from the protective bubble of his father, Deion Sanders. "Prime" orchestrated his son's career from high school to Jackson State, ensuring starting roles and pairing him with top talent like Travis Hunter. The move to Colorado continued this pattern, with Prime controlling the narrative and seemingly shielding Shedeur from critical evaluation. This bubble, however, couldn't withstand the scrutiny of the NFL.
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Why the NFL Hesitated:
The article highlights several key reasons for Shedeur Sanders' draft slide:
📌Sack Rate and Time to Throw: The staggering 94 sacks taken in his final two college seasons, coupled with a slow average time to throw (2.96 seconds), raised serious concerns about his ability to handle NFL pressure. This is more than just an offensive line issue.
📌Arm Strength and Athleticism: Scouts questioned whether Sanders possessed the arm strength to consistently beat tight coverage and the athleticism to evade NFL-caliber pass rushers. These are fundamental attributes needed for success at the next level.
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📌Film Doesn't Lie: Even with his training and understanding of pro-level passing schemes, Sanders' game film revealed a quarterback who was "hyper-trained" but lacking the physical tools to thrive in the NFL. He showed baseline accuracy and anticipation, but not the elite traits that command a high draft pick.
📌Personality Concerns: While not the primary reason, reports of Sanders being perceived as "brash" and "arrogant" by some NFL coaches didn't help his case. While personality isn't everything, it matters in terms of locker room leadership and coachability.
The Tape Tells the Story: More Than Just Hyper-Training
As the original article points out, watching Sanders's Colorado film reveals a quarterback who is well-coached but lacks elite athleticism and arm talent. He showed flashes of brilliance, but consistency was a major issue. He isn't a particularly mobile quarterback and doesn't have elite pocket awareness. NFL teams had to weigh these factors against the potential upside.
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Kiper's Outrage and Klatt's Defense: Emotions vs. Reality
The reactions of analysts like Mel Kiper and Joel Klatt, while impassioned, demonstrate how the "Prime" narrative can cloud judgment. Kiper's comparison to Aaron Rodgers was simply unrealistic, and Klatt's defense seemed to ignore the legitimate concerns raised by NFL scouts. Ultimately, emotions couldn't override the concerns on tape.
The Future for Shedeur Sanders:
While going undrafted on Day 1 was a setback, Shedeur Sanders still has a promising future. Several teams with quarterback needs, such as the Browns, Rams, Seahawks, and Saints, have multiple picks on Day 2. He is likely to be drafted on Friday, and his success in the NFL will depend on his ability to improve his weaknesses and showcase his strengths.
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Lessons Learned:
Shedeur Sanders' draft slide offers several key takeaways:
📌NFL Scouting is Meticulous: NFL teams conduct extensive evaluations, and no amount of hype or family connections can override legitimate concerns about a player's ability.
📌The Film Matters Most: Ultimately, a player's performance on the field is the most important factor in determining their draft position.
📌The "Prime" Effect Can Be a Double-Edged Sword: While Deion Sanders undoubtedly helped his son's career, it may have also shielded him from the honest feedback needed to improve.
Conclusion: Reality Bites, But Opportunity Remains
Shedeur Sanders' draft slide may have been a surprise to some, but a closer look reveals it was a logical outcome based on his college performance and pre-draft evaluations. While the NFL's biggest spotlight wasn't shining on him in the first round, the story is far from over. He now has the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong and carve out a successful NFL career. Day 2 offers a fresh start.
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