Shedeur Sanders has left the Colorado Buffs behind in pursuit of an NFL home. The high voltage stats and records (4134 yards, 74 percent 37 TDs, 10INTs) did absolute justice to his top NFL draft tag. His on-field progress, on the top, has been contagious so far. Many veterans and draft experts can’t help but keep him among their top 5 picks for the 2025 draft. Sure, he has room to clean up. Take the 23 sacks through six games early in the season or some rookie mistakes in the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Although the positives have mostly outstripped the negatives, Sanders doesn’t seem to be the would-be NFL crown jewel anymore. Thanks to another big fish in the bowl.

Another QB is outshining Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft race

Kyle McCord has an enviable record to flaunt. If you are a Shedeur Sanders fan, tighten your belt! His stocks can make you freak! A strong football IQ and the rare ability to attack the mismatches or one-on-one matchups in his favor had been the two non-negotiable assets in his prized resume. The Syracuse quarterback pulled the rug in his collegiate career after three seasons and suddenly everyone on the board is on notice. The ‘forever Orange’ guy deems his recent career move (NFL) as a lifelong dream and he weighs higher in the realm. But wait, is he riding higher than the top dog, Colorado Buffaloes’ Shedeur Sanders? Well, a recent expert analysis thinks so.

As per NFL Rookie Watch, ”Kyle McCord is able to RALLY a team like no other QB in this year’s draft. Several NFL teams reportedly have McCord ranked “a lot higher” than the national average.”  

The New Jersey native didn’t let his first and last year at Syracuse go in vein, throwing for an ACC single-season-record 4,779 yards (a mark that makes him stand out among the FBS players in 2024), along with 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He’s bagged over 8500 total yards in his storied career spanning across 2 programs, Ohio State and Syracuse.

However, the gaudy numbers did not earn him such a superlative prediction alone. Syracuse took down No. 8 Miami in a 42-38 Saturday in its regular-season finale, forging the most prominent comeback in program history. Kyle had been in the driving seat of that victory.

The 22-year-old prodigy amassed 380 passing yards and three touchdowns transcending Cam Ward’s 349 and two touchdowns and that made reportedly all the difference in his rising draft stock. So, how his NFL prospects look like at this point? NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic had some clarity to drop.

Piping through Kyle McCord’s supreme NFL projection: Strengths and weaknesses

‘‘In terms of range, I’ve heard feedback anywhere from the third round to the sixth round from NFL scouts. Area scouts have submitted their grades and other members of the front office are currently cross-checking,” said Brugler. However, it’s ultimately the coaches’ play. McCord grabs a spot in the Top 10 of several NFL draft quarterback rankings. He will take part in The East-West Shrine Bowl, an excellent opportunity to showcase his mojo. But all his swagger will eventually come down to how well he will connect with the coaches and manage to get them on the same page.

‘‘But once coaches, especially offensive coordinators, get involved, they will have a strong say (for most teams) on how they stack the quarterbacks on the board. How McCord connects with coaches during the interview process will be a key part in determining where he is ultimately drafted,” Brugler concluded.

For quarterbacks, the pre-draft work is mostly wrapped in interviews and board procedures. Having the confidence to walk into a room full of NFL coaches and scouts and to make them see your unique points of view with different scenarios is the USP of success. McCord has it all that makes him excel in the process. He just needs to be consistent with his quick wit, sharp decisions, and football IQ to make a long-lasting impression.

Accuracy on the pocked remains McCord’s ultimate strength. At the same time, he has to work a bit on using his mobility to evade and buy time. The rest, the Shedeur Sanders vs Kyle McCord debate will depend on the stars, nevertheless.