Shedeur Sanders: 2025 Player Profile

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Shedeur Sanders

Age: 23

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 212

Career: 49 G/ 1,807 ATT/ 399 Rush/ 14,356 Yds/ 151 TD

24' Passing: 13 G/ 477 ATT/ 4,134 Yds/ 37 TD

24' Rushing: 13 G / 100 ATT/ -50 Yds/ 4 TD

QBR: 78.2

Completion %: 69.9%

AY/A: 8.89

INT %: 1.5%

Sack Rate: 8.9%

NFL Next Gen Grade: 79 (Good)

FITTING THE NFL MOLD

QBs come in all shapes and sizes now with scouts relying more on certain metrics to evaluate the position. They are looking for an AY/A (Adjusted Yards Per Attempts) over 9.0 which takes into account yards, touchdowns, and interceptions giving a better overview than raw YPA. They are also looking for a sack rate under 5% and an INT rate under 2%. Shedeur pairs a good interception rate to an even better TD to INT ratio of 5-1. One of the major concerns for him is how often he is sacked. Shedeur was able to drop his sack rate from a 10.2% to a 7.7% in 2024 but still had one of the worst sack rates in the country (136th of 147). Shedeur will need to go to a team with a good to elite offensive line to be successful at the next level.

COLLEGE PRODUCTION

Sanders is looked at as a dual threat QB but in fact, he had negative rushing yards in 3 of his 4 seasons. He saw an insane amount of passing volume yet was able to maintain a consistently positive AY/A and completion percentage across each season. Sanders has been fairly durable but back in 2023 he was college footballs most sacked QB (52) which resulted in him missing time due to a back fracture.

WATCHING THE TAPE

   The tape screams that the type of QB he is, is serviceable. He's able to be fairly accurate and has decent arm strength to push the ball down field. His greatest quality is good decision making and taking what is there. He has no fear passing in the redzone and does a good job of getting the ball to the open man. His issue is how long he holds onto the ball, and a poor offensive line will make life miserable for him as he can be a little slower when progressing through his reads. He also doesn't have the top end speed that he can rely on if nobody can get open. Sanders has the flash and aura of a star but will likely excel best in a game manager role.

THE LANDING SPOT

   The only thing "legendary" about Shedeur Sanders draft experience was how far down he fell. Then to put the cherry on top, he landed in Cleveland. Cleveland is still dealing with the monumental Watson flop, and they also have 40-year-old Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and a QB they drafted ahead of Sanders. The only way things could be worse for Sanders right now is if he was getting ready to play in Canada. I think he has the talent that the team isn't going to be able to ignore with everything else they have going on in that QB room. Sanders is better than Dillon Gabriel, Pickett likely gets cut soon, Watson may never take another snap in the NFL, and again: Flacco is 40. They have no choice but to keep Sanders around for the good of the team. It's highly likely we could see Sanders play meaningful snaps at some point this season.

WHERE TO DRAFT HIM

   In redraft leagues, take a page out of the NFL's book and take him off your draft board. In dynasty rookie drafts, I like Sanders as the 2nd QB off the board in the late 2nd round into the 3rd. Shough has a greater chance of starting this year and people like him a lot but there's just one problem. He's not any good! I would rather have the potential of Sanders in long term formats.

Player Comp

   Alex Smith