Shedeur Sanders is feeling himself. “You can’t get higher than 1,” he said about his NFL draft prospects. But hold on a second… turns out, you can get lower. Ever since the Buffs hit the postseason, the rumor mill has been churning with talk of Deion’s NFL jump and Shedeur’s pro future. Everyone’s making wild guesses, and sure, Shedeur’s been ballin’ out, which is why he’s a potential first-rounder. But a former NFL scout just dropped a truth bomb, listing over three dozen reasons why that might not be the case. And it’s definitely not the fairytale everyone was banking on.

It appears that former Jets scout Daniel Kelly has serious concerns about the attention Shedeur Sanders is receiving in the NFL. Kelly points out some significant flaws in Sanders’ gameplay. One major concern is the number of sacks Sanders has faced in the past two seasons, a staggering 94. While Sanders struggles when running the pigskin under pressure, he transforms into an unstoppable force when given a clean pocket, showcasing his true potential.

Well, off the field, Sanders’ behavior raises further concerns. He has been involved in incidents such as shoving a referee, taunting crowds, and engaging in verbal fights with both teammates and opponents. Remember that game against Kansas when Shedeur shoved a ref? Yeah, that was a moment. Kansas defensive player Dean Miller nearly hit Shedeur, going right for the knees. You’d expect a flag, right? Nope. Nothing. Now, that doesn’t excuse Shedeur’s reaction, but it definitely adds some context.

Looks like Daniel didn’t care for that. So, he highlights another stance of his lack of professionalism. Well, it’s Shedeur’s refusal to shake hands after games that highlights maturity issues. But how can you forget that in their game against Colorado State, Sanders’ frustration boiled over due to the demeaning words from Brayden Fowler, giving context to his actions?

Moreover, Daniel thinks Sanders’ inconsistency, particularly on intermediate throws, and his reliance on the Buffs system for success do not inspire confidence. He struggles to adapt when faced with pressure, and his accuracy diminishes on critical downs, with a completion rate of 63.8% on 3rd down and 50% on 4th down, indicating difficulties in challenging situations. Well, Sanders definitely had his struggles, probably because he wasn’t getting enough protection. With a stronger offensive line, things could have looked very different.

But it’s not all doom and gloom for Shedeur. Even though Daniel made his “case why Sanders shouldn’t go in rounds 1-7,” plenty of people see some real potential there. Take Tennesse Titans HC Brian Callahan, for example.

The man who drafted Joe Burrow back in 2020 sees some similar qualities in Sanders. “People had questions about Burrow’s arm strength in general coming out. One of the things that makes Joe so unique, and I think you can probably put Shedeur in the same conversation. … They anticipate that when they throw it, they will have the timing and accuracy on top of it. That makes up for the arm strength,” he said. Plus, he is not the only one rooting for Shedeur.

It’s not the end of the world for Shedeur Sanders

Despite Daniel Kelly’s 42 reasons for ruling out Shedeur Sanders as a top NFL draft pick, there is one key factor that keeps his stock alive. Yes, he is not flawless, but it is unfair to solely blame him. Shouldn’t we consider the offensive line’s role in the number of sacks? Leading a team with a questionable squad is undoubtedly challenging, yet Shedeur does what needs to be done to keep the offense afloat when it could have easily crumbled.

Sure, his gameplay may have its ups and downs, but let’s not overlook what sets him apart. Shedeur has a remarkable ability to read defenses and make quick decisions, placing him in a league of his own. The game against Utah perfectly exemplifies this. In that game, Sanders completes an impressive 30 out of 41 passes for 340 yards. He carries the offense on his shoulders in ways that few quarterbacks can, especially considering the lack of a running game and inconsistent pass protection. His resilience in such a challenging environment speaks volumes.

Even PFF analyst Dalton Wasserman agrees—Shedeur’s performance isn’t as sharp because his offense is all over the place. He says, “Shedeur is QB1 for me. I just love the way he can function in the pocket. I love the way he reads defenses. He is very, very accurate. He wants to play on time.” Remember that Nebraska game? Shedeur got sacked five times in just 2.5 seconds, a clear sign of the O-line’s breakdown. No wonder he got frustrated with them.

But despite that, he completed 23 out of 38 passes. Plus his 5-touchdown record against the Cowboys? It’s pretty clear that with better protection, Shedeur’s talent shines—his struggles reflect circumstances, not a lack of skill.