Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders had the chance to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, but he opted to remain in school — and under the orders of his father, Deion Sanders, the head coach at Colorado. But as focus begins to shift toward the class of 2025, there appears to be a wide range of possibilities for Shedeur as to where he could be selected in next year’s draft.
Sanders has courted controversy recently, as he has released a widely-panned rap song and has responded negatively to criticism on social media. And one NFL team that has been strongly linked with Shedeur might not be all that interested in him after all.
Uncertainty over Sanders in the NFL
The Las Vegas Raiders have been touted as a strong destination for Sanders in the 2025 draft, but not everyone is convinced that Shedeur has the makeup necessary to thrive in Vegas.
The Raiders are entering next season with Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew competing for the starting job, so the need for a long-term solution under center is there. However, Sanders is not viewed as the young quarterback who will fit within the new culture that head coach Antonio Pierce is espousing — even though Vegas tried to trade up in this year’s draft for Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix, both of whom were selected in the top 10.
The Raiders’ draft strategy also came into question after a prospect revealed that the Vegas front office flipped a coin to decide on its selection at 13th overall. They eventually opted to add tight end Brock Bowers as another offensive weapon alongside star receiver Davante Adams — and with the 2025 crop of quarterbacks not looking as strong as in 2024, Raiders general manager Tom Telesco seems more likely to sign his 2025 starter in free agency as opposed to the draft.
That is because Sanders, despite concerns over his attitude and skillset, remains among the favorites to be in play at #1 overall next April. Shedeur will need to put together a big season in Boulder, but if he can put those concerns to rest, he will end up being drafted higher than where the Raiders are likely to pick.
