Buffs Beat

Shedeur Sanders Beats Cam Ward In Quarterback Rankings: 2025 NFL Draft Big Board

Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders was recently ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the class and one slot ahead of Miami quarterback Cam Ward on a prominent 2025 NFL Draft big board. Which NFL team will draft Deion Sanders' son?

Kyron Samuels

Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images / Candice Ward-Imagn Images
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Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders is a consensus top-2 quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. The competition for the best quarterback in the class is between Shedeur and former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward. Ironically, the two are longtime training partners and frequently work together and those videos have become viral sensations. Their competitive drive and spirit showcased in the sessions could spill over to their NFL careers.

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr has Sanders ranked as his No. 1 quarterback in the class and one slot ahead of Ward on his big board despite projecting Ward to be the number one overall pick to the Tennessee Titans. Kiper has Shedeur going third overall and being the next Brian Daboll pupil with the New York Giants. Kiper went on to explain the thought process behind having Sanders ranked ahead of Ward. 

Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sander
Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up during the 4th quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images / Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

“He dealt with NFL conditions. You can win big in the NFL going about your business like Shedeur Sanders does.”  said Kiper on First Take. 

Much has been made of Sanders’ pocket presence and habits. However, it’s quite difficult to truly gauge the feel as Sanders often displays great ability from the pocket, but there are also many instances of the pass protection breaking down immediately or designed delayed rollouts. Does Sanders have a problem bailing from pockets or is the attrition from pressure and being hit speeding up his internal clock? The truth is usually somewhere in the middle.

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Sanders would tell you he has to improve his habit of retreating, but he’d also be the first to highlight his toughness and ability to deliver the ball accurately regardless. Both are true and a large part of what makes Shedeur Sanders such a polarizing prospect. The good far outweighs the bad in most cases and above all, Sanders's processing capability is something that can’t be debated. It’s all over the film. 

“Even if the Giants land Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, they need to think about the future under center. Rodgers is 41. Wilson is 36. Neither would be the long-term fix. That's why I still think the Giants could draft Sanders at No. 3. And signing one of those veterans -- two guys who have won Super Bowls -- then double-dipping at the position with Sanders would only help the rookie learn and develop. There would be no pressure to start Sanders right away or be the guy in Week 1.” said Kiper in his Sanders blurb. 

“In Sanders, New York would get a super accurate passer (74.0% completion rate in 2024) who is tough as nails. Despite taking the most sacks in the FBS over the past two seasons (94), he also tied for second in touchdown passes during that time frame (4). Sanders could provide some QB stability to New York for the first time since Eli Manning was taking the snaps.”  Kiper continued.

While the general consensus has Miami quarterback Cam Ward as the No. 1 overall pick, many scouts and analysts have Sanders ranked ahead of Ward. Reports from reputable sources and publications have Sanders linked to the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 overall, the New York Giants at No.3 overall, and the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 overall. 

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Kyron Samuels
KYRON SAMUELS

Kyron Samuels is a former college and professional football player now a writer, analyst, & digital host. Kyron is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and contributes to Oregon Ducks on SI. A graduate and letterman at Jacksonville State University, Samuels was a three-year starter, two-time all-conference, and won three consecutive conference titles. After a four-year professional stint between the AFL & XFL, Samuels retired from football. In 2022, Samuels was inducted into the Fairhope Athletic Hall of Fame. Post-playing career, Samuels has become a credentialed sports media member covering the NFL, UFL, USFL, & college football. The NFL Combine, Reese’s Senior Bowl, & East-West Shrine Bowl are amongst the events Kyron has covered. As a guest and host, Samuels has been featured on ESPNRadio, FoxSportsRadio, & IHeartRadio. Outside of sports media, Samuels works as a scouting consultant and has experience coaching at the collegiate level.

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