Shedeur Sanders, arguably the most polarizing talent in this year’s NFL draft, was the focus on Thursday night. With only two quarterbacks selected in the opening round, it shaped up as a defining moment for him. Shedeur Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, is taking quite the ride. His unprecedented performance and high ceiling have fueled intense discussions between scouts and analysts. As the evening progressed, it became evident that Sanders’s wait for his name to be called would become the defining narrative of the night.
The 2023 draft class has already been labeled as a weak one — especially when it comes to the quarterback position. There’s a lot of people who think highly of Shedeur Sanders, too. They contend that he doesn’t have what it takes to be a franchise quarterback who can change the dynamic of a team’s offense. His critics point to questions about his arm strength. They fear his inability to get the ball out quickly, his hitch in his release and his slow pace through coverages.
Shedeur Sanders started his collegiate career at Jackson State under the direction of his father. Later, he moved to Colorado and flourished under a pro-style, multiple offense. Throughout that time, he enjoyed the luxury of throwing to Travis Hunter. Hunter became perhaps the most dynamic player in college football and eventually won the Heisman Trophy. Even with these benefits, Sanders found it difficult to consistently display the high-end traits that NFL teams look for in a starting QB.
During his time in college, Sanders showed flashes of potential, especially when he had time to operate in the pocket. His ability to throw with touch and anticipation was astounding, but these strengths were frequently drowned out by his inconsistencies. Those struggles were part of what led to skepticism about his preparedness for the pro game.
As the draft night unfolded, it became clear that Shedeur Sanders’s slide down the board was becoming one of the evening’s central stories. Analysts and fans across the country debated what could have caused his drop. Others cited what was seen as a historically weak class of elite quarterback prospects to this year’s draft pool as a reason.
Deion Sanders defended his son against criticism, emphasizing the attacks directed at Shedeur due to his success and visibility. Be honest, you’re sick of seeing me take home the crown. Some of you just can’t handle how I shed light and disrupt the status quo wherever I tread. Just say that. But don’t take it out on my kids in the process,” he said in a short phone interview with USA Today.