The NFL Draft process is ruthless, and no player is immune to its ever-changing tides. One minute, you’re a projected franchise savior. The next, you’re watching your stock plummet with every new scouting report. For Shedeur Sanders, the latest intel isn’t just shifting narratives—it’s actively threatening his once-lofty draft position. As teams finalize their draft boards, the Colorado star Sanders’ future as the No. 1, once seen as a foregone conclusion, is now teetering on the edge and is QB2 in this draft, behind Cam Ward.

Heading into the scouting combine, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. had Shedeur Sanders as one of the top QBs in the 2025 class, but his ranking has seen a seismic shift. For a stretch, he was in the mix for the No. 1 pick. Now, Kiper has him slotted at No. 4 overall among draft prospects, trailing Miami’s ex-QB1. The movement reflects a growing skepticism about Sanders’ ability to translate his collegiate production to the next level.

The Las Vegas Raiders, long linked to Sanders, still appear to be the safest bet to land him at No. 6. But a new, unexpected force has entered the equation—the New York Jets. And with the franchise’s $7.3 billion valuation on the line, they can’t afford to get this decision wrong.

So, it looks like the previous contenders, the $7.3B-worth NY Giants, have a threat. Sanders has scheduled visits with the Giants. “Shedeur Sanders, he’s dropping to the Raiders. What would preclude the Jets from going up ahead of the Raiders and getting Shedeur Sanders?” Kiper said on the First Draft podcast to Field Yates. That’s the looming question. If the Jets see him as their post-Aaron Rodgers future, they may be willing to jump ahead of the Raiders, potentially flipping the draft order on its head. But while Kiper still sees Sanders as a viable first-round talent, others aren’t as convinced. The evaluation from Chat Sports was far more blunt, cutting into Sanders’ fundamental skills with a brutal assessment.

“I don’t think it’s close. Cam Ward is higher on my board. I think he’s the only guy worth using a top-10 pick on. The thing that concerns me about Shedeur is he doesn’t have high-end arm talent and arm strength, and then he pairs that with not phenomenal anticipation,” the host said. That’s a double-edged critique for the 6′ 2″ QB—arm strength and anticipation are two of the most critical traits for an NFL quarterback. Without them, timing windows shrink, passing lanes close, and turnovers skyrocket.

The concern is clear: Sanders doesn’t throw with the kind of instinct that NFL teams covet. He has to see receivers open rather than trusting his arm and processing speed to throw them open, a flaw that can spell disaster at the next level. That assessment isn’t entirely without merit. While Sanders was hyper-efficient at Colorado, with a QBR of 75.5 with 37 TDs and showing excellent poise under pressure, there were signs of hesitation in his game. His release is quick, and his mechanics are polished, but his deep throws don’t carry the same zip as other top QB prospects.

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And in an era where elite NFL defenses feast on quarterbacks who can’t throw with anticipation, the questions are fair. “If you pair below-average arm strength with below-average anticipation, that’s going to lead to interceptions. That’s going to lead to pass breakups. You have to be able to play on time in the National Football League.” Son of Deion Sanders had 10 INTs in 2024. But the QB still has something that’s hard to quantify: the it factor.

The leadership, the presence, the ability to command an offense and elevate those around him. His connection with his receivers, particularly during his time at Colorado, was undeniable. The Raiders may still believe he’s their guy, but the Jets’ potential interest throws a wrench into their plans. He’ll need to convince teams that his football IQ and accuracy can compensate for any physical shortcomings.

Shedeur Sanders: not No. 6 material?

Shedeur Sanders isn’t buying what ESPN analyst Field Yates is selling. When Yates’ latest mock draft projected Sanders to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 overall, the Colorado quarterback wasted no time shutting it down. His response?A confident, straight-to-the-point dismissal on X: “That’s cap, bruh. I ain’t going sixth.”

In Yates’ mock, Sanders was the second quarterback off the board, trailing Cam Ward, who was slotted at No. 3 to the New York Giants. Even so, Yates had high praise for Sanders, calling him “the best pure passer in the draft” and insisting he’d instantly upgrade the Raiders’ QB room, who have been chasing him from early on.

Sanders has been vocal about not chasing the No. 1 pick, but let’s be real—his reaction tells a different story. He’s got that undeniable swagger, and falling to No. 6 clearly isn’t part of his vision.