Things were looking good just a week ago. Shedeur Sanders had that #2 spot nailed down, Cam Ward was the clear top QB prospect, and the narrative was low-key set. Simple, right? Not so fast. Just when Sanders thought it was him and Ward running the 2025 NFL Draft convo, a new name started buzzing—loud. The draft world doesn’t wait for anybody, and in the blink of an eye, the quarterback pecking order got shuffled after $1.8 QB came into the picture. And now? Shedeur’s claim of being a top-two quarterback is looking real shaky. The noise is getting louder, and the NFL world is talking. So, who’s crashing the party?

On the February 11th episode of his own “2Legendary” podcast, Shedeur spoke on his draft position as if it was a done deal. “We both got two different personalities, but then we’re similar in some ways. You know, he cares about football, he loves football, and he has a great family outside of that—same here. So, it’s just fun knowing we’re the top two guys.” he said about himself and Cam Ward. No hesitation. No uncertainty. Just indomitable confidence like his pops. And hey, that’s what you want from a franchise QB, right? But here’s the thing—the draft ain’t X or IG. It’s a battlefield, and rankings shift fast. Sanders spoke like the No. 1 or 2 spot had his name engraved on it, but now the league is looking at another QB who just might be better suited for that spot.

Enter the $1.8M problem: Ever since the Reese Bowl, the buzz around Jaxson Dart has been growing like a viral tweet. NFL scouts are watching his film, and they like what they see. Dart’s performance at the Reese’s Senior Bowl turned heads, and some insiders are saying he’s got that Jayden Daniels-type jump in him. And if you paid attention last year, you know what that means: a rocket up the draft board.

Dart is a different style of quarterback than Sanders. While Shedeur thrives on creating magic when the play breaks down, Dart is a structured, in-rhythm passer who keeps the offense flowing. NFL teams love that. They don’t want highlight reels; they want efficiency. And Dart? He’s giving them exactly what they want.

ESPN’s Todd McShay brought Steve Muench onto his podcast and discussed the #2QB’s situation: “I wanted to come out of this and say definitively, Shedeur is better than Jaxson,” McShay said. “But everyone’s saying Jaxson. You get on X, you get on Instagram, you turn on the TV, and it’s ‘Cam and Shedeur, Cam and Shedeur.’ But I’m not seeing a big gap between Shedeur and Jaxson Dart.” Muench added to the discussion, pointing out that Dart’s deep pass efficiency and decision-making were giving him the edge. “When you talk about average depth of target for a quarterback, Jaxson Dart is by far higher than any of the other top prospects. I think he’s at 12.4. Cam Ward is two yards below that, and then Shedeur is in the eights.”

The NFL is shifting. Quarterbacks who can operate efficiently within a system are getting the nod over pure playmakers. And while Shedeur’s ability to extend plays is elite, some scouts are starting to question if that style will translate at the next level. Dart, on the other hand, is being praised for his decisiveness, quick processing, and ability to deliver the pigskin on time. So is Dart really being considered the second-best QB prospect over Shedeur?

Shedeur Sanders vs. Jaxson Dart

Let’s talk stats. In 2024, he balled out for Colorado, throwing for 37 touchdowns with just 9 interceptions and completing 74% of his passes. Those are elite numbers, no doubt. And Dart? He finished with 29 TDs and only 6 picks, a 69.3% completion rate. When it comes to long passes, Shedeur Sanders is in a different league than Jaxson Dart. Sanders connects on over 60% of his deep throws, compared to Dart’s 45%.

But one of the biggest criticisms of Sanders is his tendency to hold on to the pigskin too long, leading to unnecessary sacks. The man’s got sacked over 23 times. Even though he played behind one of the worst offensive lines in college football, some analysts believe he invites pressure by not getting rid of the pigskin quickly. Dart doesn’t have that problem. He’s making quick reads, stepping up in the pocket, and hitting his receivers in stride. That’s what NFL coaches want.

But let’s not get it twisted—Shedeur draft stock isn’t fading away. His ability to throw with pinpoint accuracy, particularly in short and intermediate routes, is unmatched in this class. When he’s in rhythm, he’s a surgeon, picking apart defenses with ease. And let’s not forget his intangibles. He’s got the poise, leadership, confidence, and aura that he got from his pops that NFL teams crave. However, the biggest knock on him is his reliance on improvisation. He’s elite when the play breaks down, but can he thrive in an offense that demands quick reads and structured execution? That’s the question scouts are asking, and it’s why Dart is now in the conversation for the No.2 QB spot.

So, is Shedeur Sanders still QB2? Well, it’s up to what NFL teams want in their QB. What looked like a clear-cut ranking a few weeks ago is now murky. Cam Ward seems locked in as QB1, but the No. 2 spot? It’s a dogfight. Jaxson Dart has entered the chat, and he’s got a whole lotta Reese Bowl draft rise momentum behind him. Shedeur’s claim of being in the top two isn’t holding as strong as it once did, even if he is an actual talent. And the NFL world is watching closely.

The draft process is a marathon, not a sprint. And with the NFL Combine and Pro Days still ahead, this battle is far from settled. Buckle up—things are about to get real spicy.