Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft outlook: Deion's son shines in 2024 debut for Colorado in win over NDSU

Colorado’s first sport of Yr 2 within the Deion Sanders period Thursday evening was nearer than many people — together with Vegas — thought, but Shedeur Sanders placed on an impressive present all night within the 31-26 victory, a efficiency not merely simply sufficient for the Buffaloes to narrowly keep away from defeat however one plagued by NFL-caliber throws. 

There have been so many, his easy 445-yard outing is worthy of a direct analysis. 

Let’s begin with the put up throw underneath stress within the first half. Now, the North Dakota State coach talked about later, throughout a between-quarters interview, it was a blown protection. And it in all probability actually was. 

However for Sanders to start out this drop again by wanting left, checking an intermediate route, then uncorking the lengthy ball excessive whereas his pocket caved in entrance of him was spectacular and a eager demonstration of the pace at which he calmly processes and his expertise as a passer. 

Fairly spectacular, within the first half of the opening sport of the season from Sanders. That very a lot appeared like a play that was sure to finish in a sack or an awkwardly launched soccer that fell incomplete or was intercepted. It finally was none of these issues. 

Then there was a wonderfully “feathered” over path to considered one of his speedy receivers that required very best timing, accuracy, trajectory, and velocity, to have sufficient peak to clear the sinking, beneath linebacker however arrive to its vacation spot earlier than the deep security may ship a well-timed enormous hit to jar the ball free. 

Positive, Sanders stayed locked into his first learn on that throw, however not each high-level play from contained in the pocket a quarterback makes has to come back after he is drifted by means of his total checklist of progressions. 

I really like right here, how, as a substitute of speeding this longer sideline throw and trying to throw a strike with dangerous footwork, Sanders stepped up and to his left earlier than releasing the soccer with loads of velocity. This was delicate however very a lot by-the-book. 

To show the primary wow throw of the night wasn’t a fluke, within the second half, Sanders uncorked one other extremely daring deep shot with a defender bearing down on him contained in the pocket. 

He wanted to make this throw with anticipation due to the oncoming defender, and threw it close to a sinking security on this vertical idea. NFL-caliber stuff right here. 

And as we’re all keenly conscious — within the NFL immediately, generally you need to flex the arm energy. And Sanders did that there, on this proper sideline connection to Travis Hunter that traveled a minimum of 55 yards within the hair from near the far hash. 

He was in a position to torque his decrease physique to get extra energy behind the go, nonetheless, it was an superior demonstration of how a lot arm energy he has, and his willingness to scan the whole area to discover a potential goal.

Possessing a sixth sense along with your receivers is such a luxurious in any respect ranges, notably within the NFL when air-tight protection is widespread. All the perfect quarterback-receiver tandems have this connection. 

Watch right here, how, on this landing to Hunter, Sanders observed the leverage of the cornerback and (possible) purposely threw a back-shoulder to his star receiver, primarily creating the separation for him to haul within the go. 

The final throw I will spotlight is simply foolish. Elite-level braveness, placement, protection studying — this go had all of it, besides it fell incomplete due to super protection from the North Dakota State defender. 

We do have to recollect — Sanders was outrageous within the season-opening win in opposition to TCU a season in the past then fizzled — though it was extra concerning the group than Sanders’ play himself. And for as a lot of an FCS powerhouse as North Dakota State is, we’ve to see Sanders do these items in opposition to Energy 4 competitors in what’s a frightening Huge 12 schedule this season earlier than genuinely anointing him. 

The begin to his 2024, although, was supremely good. 

This was an replace on a 2023 piece I wrote after Sanders’ super outing in his first ever at Colorado, which you’ll be able to learn under. 

In watching Colorado-TCU final weekend, you in all probability thought to your self “Deion Sanders’ child can actually play.” Shedeur Sanders had a Energy 5 debut for the ages, throwing for over 500 yards with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions within the large upset win on the highway in opposition to a group that performed for the nationwide title final season. 

And immediately, you could be questioning, how good of an NFL Draft prospect is he? He was at Jackson State for 2 years then exploded onto the nationwide scene on Saturday. 

In fact, Sanders’ draft prospectus wasn’t cemented by one season-opening efficiency. However I will do the perfect I can to supply some sort of reply to the thought everyone seems to be having. 

Earlier than flipping on the movie, I reached out to an NFL scout to get his ideas. 

“Have to recollect. He had gives from some large colleges popping out. And in opposition to TCU confirmed what I actually like about him. He is actually not seeking to run. Wasn’t that man at Jackson State. Assured passer first. Cannot lock him into Spherical 1 but. The traits are there. And the excitement will not cease.”

Whereas athletic, Sanders emphatically demonstrated he needs to beat the opponent along with his mind and arm earlier than anything. Saturday was not a efficiency by which a quarterback appeared overwhelmed by the pace and complexity of a protection and easily leaned on his legs to maneuver the soccer. Removed from that. 

Let’s dive into Sanders’ displaying in opposition to TCU to display the weather he showcased which might be translatable to the NFL and what have sparked extremely early first-round buzz. 

Whereas not each considered one of Sanders’ eight makes an attempt 20 or extra yards down area had been good, he did exhibit the flexibility to throw with correct trajectory and contact on shot performs down the sector on just a few events. This primary-half throw to Travis Hunter was a first-rate instance. 

Superior extension from the ultra-flexible Hunter, however he could not safe the catch. From Sanders’ perspective, the ball was positioned the place solely Hunter may make a play on it. That is all you may ask for out of your quarterback in these eventualities. Talking of that, this subsequent throw on a Third-and-6 within the second half did not characteristic a blinding seize from his receiver, however served as one other instance of Sanders dropping it within the bucket down the sideline. 

Be aware, too, how he began wanting left and appeared completely snug making that throw from his personal finish zone. No jitters. 

On the next drive got here, in my estimation, Sanders’ greatest throw of the afternoon. Once more, he began by preserving the protection in the course of the sector by not staring down his meant goal down the correct sideline. 

Sanders then delivered a stunning teardrop in stride over the shoulder of his wideout and ever-so-slightly past the outstretched arms of the trailing cornerback, who did not have the worst protection on the play. 

It was a textbook toss by means of a tiny window. Ball placement could not have been higher. 

As we have come to grasp on this period of elite, rocket-armed quarterbacks, arm energy is not solely important for launching moon balls down the sector. Extra often, it is a necessity on lengthy intermediate throws. Sanders offered a glimpse of the speed he can create along with his launch on this first-half throw to an open receiver from the far hash. 

Now, that throw did display that Sanders will not be confused with Patrick Mahomes, however there’ve been quarterbacks with far much less arm energy chosen within the first spherical over the previous decade within the NFL. Importantly, Sanders checks the “NFL-caliber arm” field. That won’t be a priority even for scouting nitpickers through the pre-draft course of. 

However touchdown in Spherical 1 — and finally thriving within the NFL — requires considerably extra nuance than deep-ball accuracy and a powerful arm. And Sanders demonstrated loads of nuance in opposition to TCU. Let’s run by means of that nuance now. 

How about fast processing? On the game-winning drive, watch how Sanders checked the traditional slant-flat idea earlier than and as a substitute of hitting the swing go into the flat, which was open however clearly would’ve amounted to a minimal achieve. He purchased time within the pocket for Hunter to run by means of the primary throwing window and hit him within the second window behind the within linebacker. 

Sanders knew he was welcoming successful by being affected person on that play. However it was value it. The throw moved the chains. Subsequent-level stuff proper there.  

How about contact on throws apart from these deep downfield? Watch how rigorously Sanders positioned this throw on an intermediate crosser up and over a second-level defender and between two defensive backs. Floated superbly with simply the correct quantity of zip. 

That is fairly. And Sanders did it whereas floating himself towards the throw. He did not ship from a wonderfully nonetheless, solidified base. That functionality is required in immediately’s NFL and is a part of the composition of the time period “arm expertise.” 

Even immediately, with quarterbacks protected by the principles greater than ever — you need to be powerful. You are going to take pictures. Was there any demonstration of that in opposition to TCU? Yep. Examine right here, when Sanders waited for an in-breaker to develop with an inside rusher bearing down on him. That defender delivered a shot a split-second after he threw a strike over the center. 

All of this pocket passing is nice. It truly is. However how about creativity along with his legs. Is he cellular? That is additionally develop into a necessity to be a top-tier quarterback immediately. On Saturday in Fort Value, Texas, Sanders put that on show too. 

On a play by which he was compelled from the pocket to his left, Sanders stopped on a dime to keep away from a rusher — and to get assist from a blocker — earlier than discovering an open goal over the center. He did finally take a shot after releasing the soccer. However the profitable play was made, 

Above all, Sanders performed with palpable confidence all sport, in a contest on the highway, in opposition to a ranked opponent, with monumental  anticipation for a group with out established chemistry that was constructed extra uniquely than any in college football historical past. All of that can go a great distance within the rising attract of Sanders as a draft prospect. 

Now, it is as early because it will get for Sanders and Colorado. There will be fluctuations. The traditional ebb and circulate of a season. Nevertheless, first-round hype has to start out someplace, and with Sanders, it isn’t unjustified due to his high-profile lineage. If he continues to play remotely near how did he in opposition to TCU, I genuinely consider there he shall be extensively considered a first-round quarterback.