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In a draft class filled with leading lights, Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders continues to stand out.
The Buffaloes hurler enjoyed a dazzling collegiate career, starring at Jackson State before racking up a slew of accolades during a glittering two-year spell in Boulder alongside his father, Deion.
Sanders won't be the first overall pick — his athletic limitations and lack of a golden arm have made him a polarizing prospect in the eyes of fans and scouts alike. Nevertheless, Sanders' accuracy, poise and moxie have some clamoring for Buffaloes' QB's services, likening his skillset to other gifted pocket passers, including Geno Smith.
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So, just where will Sanders land in this year's draft? The Sporting News gives you a rundown all of Sanders' potential landing spots based on recent mock drafts from experts like Mel Kiper Jr., Dane Brugler, TSN's Vinnie Iyer and others.
Shedeur Sanders draft projections
Sanders has fallen a bit on draft boards since the end of the college season, going from the odds-on favorite to be selected No. 2 overall to a fringe top-ten pick, with some experts even believing he could drop out of the first round entirely.
Still, he's been featured on nearly 96% of first-round mocks, per NFL Mock Draft Database. His most likely destination appears to be New Orleans at No. 9 based on the database's metrics.
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Here's how experts think Sanders' draft experience could shake out.
Peter Schrager, ESPN
Schrager's latest mock was released on April 23
- Round 1, Pick No. 21, Pittsburgh Steelers
Schrager has Sanders tabbed as the second QB taken in his draft class, citing the Steelers' lack of a QB1 as reason for Pittsburgh to bring the 23-year-old to Acrisure Stadium. He admitted that his projection could be viewed as a slip down the board for Sanders, who's been linked with teams as high as the Giants at No. 3.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Brooks' latest mock was released on April 22
- Round 1, Pick No. 21, Pittsburgh Steelers
Like Schrager, Brooks believes Sanders could land in the Steel City. His skillset — adorned by accurate throws and a confident demeanor — would appear a natural fit in Mike Tomlin's offense, especially after it acquired DK Metcalf in the offseason.
Chris Simms, NBC Sports
Simms' latest mock was released on April 21
- Round 2
Simms gave Sanders a Round 2 grade, although he failed to present a team that would take the Colorado alum. It's unclear whether Sanders is QB2 in the draft behind Ward, as Simms also suggested that Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and Louisville's Tyler Shough earned similar grades.
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Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News
Iyer's latest mock was released on April 17:
- Round 1, Pick No. 2, Cleveland Browns
Iyer gives Sanders his highest draft grade thus far, explaining that Kenny Pickett's arrival in Cleveland does little to suggest that the Browns won't be looking for a hurler of the future.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Brugler's latest mock draft was released on April 16:
- Round 1, Pick No. 21, Pittsburgh Steelers
Brugler posits that if Sanders falls out of the top three, he'll have to wait a good while to hear his name called. In the end, he lands in Pittsburgh, with Brugler believing that the Steelers will enlist a veteran QB to take over the offense in the short term while Sanders develops away from the spotlight.
Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates, ESPN
Kiper and Yates released a joint mock draft on April 15:
- Round 1, Pick No. 9, New Orleans Saints
Yates takes credit for this projection, highlighting anxiety surrounding Derek Carr's shoulder injury as the reason for the Saints to take Sanders. New coach Kellen Moore is viewed by many to be a QB guru. Could he get the best out of the 23-year-old signal-caller?
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
Daniel Jeremiah released a mock draft on March 18:
- Round 1, Pick No. 3, New York Giants
Jeremiah has Sanders landing with the Giants at No. 3, although he flirted with having the Browns select the Buffaloes' standout at No. 2. In the end, he feels Cleveland's better off taking an edge rusher — presumably Abdul Carter — then adding a hurler in Round 2. Sanders ends up in the Big Apple as a result.
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