Many expect Shedeur Shanders to be the No. 1 overall pick in this spring's NFL Draft, but according to a source, not all 32 teams view him as that type of franchise talent.
Sanders is in play to be selected at or near the top of the draft after a college career that saw him throw for 14,119 yards and 132 touchdowns between Jackson State and Colorado.
But according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, there are some within the league who “don't have anything resembling a first-round grade” at quarterback.
Pelissero, speaking in The Rich Eisen ShowHe said Sanders, son of former NFL star and Colorado coach Deion, would be a “fascinating overall assessment” before the draft.
“He certainly has fans and comes in with a high profile, but the idea that he's just going to come in and be the No. 1 pick, that's probably what drives him.” …If I had to guess who comes off the board first, I would say Shedeur is not the first Colorado player to come off the board as it stands today,” he added, via New York Post.
Instead, Pelissero believes the distinction will fall to Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who was Sanders' top target at wide receiver while also playing cornerback on defense.
Apparently, Shedeur Sanders is not viewed by everyone as a first-round talent in the NFL Draft.
His teammate, Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, could surpass him for the No. 1 overall spot.
Shedeur threw two interceptions in Colorado's Alamo Bowl loss to BYU last week
“Travis Hunter can be a generational type of player,” Pelissero said. “Someone might fall in love with Shedeur Sanders and he could go number one overall.” I would just say that, in my conversations, there is a healthy skepticism among people around the league that when it comes to the end of the process, and they get to the last week of April, someone is going to jump in and use a very high pick to turn him into a franchise quarterback.
Whether Hunter, Sanders or Miami quarterback Cam Ward go No. 1 overall could depend on how the final draft order plays out.
The quarterback-starved Giants were set to pick at No. 1 before beating the Colts last weekend, with the Patriots now No. 1 by Tankathon.
Such a scenario could see Hunter go first, as the Patriots drafted quarterback Drake Maye third overall just last year.
Maye has shown promise in his rookie season, throwing for 189.7 yards per game and 15 touchdowns (against 11 picks) in 11 starts.
Sanders, meanwhile, has completed an impressive 74 percent of his passes this season along with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns through the air.
His college career did not end well, however, as he threw two interceptions (and two touchdowns) in a 36-14 loss to BYU in the Alamo Bowl.