Shedeur Sanders made headlines during the 2024 NFL draft season by declaring, “I don’t see a quarterback that’s better than me.” Thus, attention quickly turned to the 2025 draft, where he was expected to be a top pick. Adding to the hype, Coach Prime also confidently said that his son can pull an “Eli Manning,” suggesting he might refuse to play for certain teams. However, a recent ESPN mock draft analysis threw shade at those dreams. 

Analyst Jordan Reid ranked Shedeur behind Georgia’s quarterback Carson Beck in his “super early” 2025 draft predictions. While the draft projections disappointed some, a host offered support, stating Shedeur is still the better quarterback, regardless of the rankings. However, he raised a red flag, suggesting that Sanders’ past behavior might deter some teams.

Analyst sees trouble ahead for Shedeur Sanders

Chat Sports host Tyler Jones dissected ESPN analyst Jordan Reid’s recent mock draft on his show. The draft placed Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 5, behind Georgia’s Carson Beck at No. 1. The mock draft also predicts the Las Vegas Raiders will select Shedeur, who impressed last season with 27 touchdowns despite the Buffs’ mediocre 4-8 season.

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Jones commented that Shedeur “had a chance to be a first-round pick in this year’s draft ultimately opted to stay in school.” He also raised concerns about Sanders’ behavior: “I didn’t like how he handled the recent comments about one of his former teammates transferred it out and all that.” However, Jones ultimately favored Shedeur, saying, “I like Shedeur Sanders more than I do Carson Beck personally. I think he’s the best quarterback in this draft.” Thus, amidst his praise, Jones warned that Sanders’ past behavior might hurt his draft chances in the coming days.

Glare on Shedeur’s behavior

Last year, Shedeur Sanders started the season with Heisman hypes and early wins. But his momentum faded alongside the Buffaloes’ losing streak. While not solely responsible for the losses, his recent controversies have further tarnished his rising star image. When a former teammate, Xavier Smith, criticized the Buffs football program, Shedeur fired back online, stating, “Ion even remember him tbh. Bro had to be very mid at best.” This dismissive comment damaged his reputation. While it’s unlikely to affect his draft position directly, it raises questions about his behavior.

However, Shedeur also lags statistically, as Georgia’s Carson Beck currently holds the edge. Beck threw for over 4,000 yards last season and continues to improve. With Colorado no longer a media darling, Shedeur needs to develop thicker skin as expectations rise. However, there are silver linings. Many analysts consider the 2025 quarterback class weaker than 2024, potentially benefiting Sanders. His 70% completion rate isn’t far behind Beck’s 72%. Thus, the Buffs still have reason to be optimistic.