By themselves, the items of a puzzle reveal little or no. However hyperlink them collectively and a clearly outlined image emerges.
Metaphorically talking, that describes the NFL Draft. After spending months, if not years, gathering info on prospects, groups then join all of the dots — er, knowledge — to create a fuller image of whom they may be choosing.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders ought to perceive that greater than any prospect. His father, Deion Sanders, isn’t solely his head coach but additionally one of many best cornerbacks in NFL historical past. Coach Prime, as he likes to be known as, is aware of the league and its internal workings in addition to anybody. He’s accustomed to the circus that’s the draft course of and the way innocuous incidents can tackle a lifetime of their very own.
That’s why I’m shocked Shedeur hasn’t dealt with the highlight in a extra circumspect method over the previous 12 months. It goes past him throwing his offensive linemen underneath the bus after he was sacked 5 instances in Saturday’s loss at Nebraska. It’s additionally having his work ethic questioned by Miami quarterback Cam Ward, one other potential top-5 decide, after the 2 skilled collectively in South Florida within the offseason. And him making a disparaging remark a few former teammate after the participant transferred. And legendary QB Tom Brady joking (?) that he wanted to get out of the automobile showroom and into the movie room after he posted photos in a Rolls-Royce.
“What number of instances did Raiola get touched?”
Shedeur Sanders placing the blame on his O-Line
— Pointless Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 8, 2024
By themselves, these items won’t imply loads.
However when strung collectively, they may lead to uncomfortable questions on his health to doubtlessly be drafted No. 1 — which is among the causes he returned for his senior season. As one former longtime common supervisor instructed me this week: “If you happen to’re asking the query, groups are undoubtedly going to be asking the query.”
At this level, simply three weeks into the season, it’s too early to credibly talk about front-runners for the highest spot. And although some entered the 12 months projecting 2025 to be a QB-weak draft class, historical past tells us relative unknowns can be pushed up draft boards by the tip of the season, making for a strong dialogue about who ought to go No. 1.
We’re positive to listen to names like Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Georgia’s Carson Beck, and Miami’s Ward, all of whom are gifted and main potential playoff squads. USC’s Miller Moss additionally may be a part of the dialog. None is extra bodily gifted than Sanders, however, up to now, every has dealt with the highlight with larger dexterity.
GO DEEPER
Deion says son ‘most likely’ would’ve been second QB picked in 2024 draft
Sanders has to know he’s going to be judged otherwise than others. For one, he’s a quarterback, which is the premium place in soccer. For an additional, he’s a quarterback who occurs to be Black in a league that solely just lately has seen African People as able to excelling on the place. And thirdly, he’s a quarterback who occurs to be Black and is the son of Deion Sanders, a person whose confidence, flash and bravado rubs some the flawed approach. To assume that Shedeur received’t be judged extra critically is to be naive.
That stated, none of these items will forestall Sanders from being extremely drafted. However they may create openings for pointless and undesirable drama main as much as the draft, which has a voracious urge for food with regards to inane storylines. See, Cam Newton and “pretend smile” for Exhibit 1A.
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In search of perspective, I reached out to a few former common managers and requested what influence these puzzle items may have on Sanders’ consideration as a No. 1 decide. Each have been concerned in choosing a QB among the many first three picks, together with one on the very prime, and every spoke on the situation of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Their views contrasted.
“All of these items do matter,” one stated. “We’ve seen some nice quarterbacks over time who’re unbelievably gifted however they simply can’t pull it off. There are numerous, many like that. … At this level, if I’m coming again to the league and kicking off a brand new regime, with what I do know, I might by no means have Shedeur kick issues off with me. I’m making an attempt to pinpoint why that’s, and I simply don’t belief every thing I’m seeing proper now. He’s bought some cash from the portal and he’s spending it the best way he’s. … I simply don’t belief his maturity. I don’t belief how he’s going to have the ability to deal with the limelight, which sounds odd as a result of he ought to have the ability to deal with it greater than anybody as a result of he’s been round all of it his life. I don’t imply deal with the limelight; relatively, is he going to be a distraction in that constructing? Is he going to annoy individuals? Do his teammates like him, or do they resent him?”
Stated the opposite: “In the course of the draft course of, all people pokes holes. Sure, individuals are going to be that stuff. However I view it otherwise. These kinds of issues are all discovered, maturing traits. We neglect that children are going to be children. What you search for is how shortly they may develop up. Clearly, he has grown up in an athletic surroundings the place he’s used to having the most effective round him. The work ethic can be an important factor. The stuff in regards to the feedback and issues like that, individuals will fear about that a bit of bit, however the work ethic is the factor. If you happen to don’t assume he’s going to have the work ethic, it’s an enormous purple flag. You have a look at Jayden Daniels and he had the receivers in at 5:30 within the morning for conferences. You have a look at Matt Ryan, and he used to take his offensive linemen to dinner as soon as every week. That stated, I do assume it’s important to be very cautious about letting these issues construct up.”
Each males known as Sanders “extraordinarily gifted” and stated they anticipate him to be among the many prime quarterbacks within the 2025 draft. He may have turned professional after final season and presumably been the primary quarterback taken after Caleb Williams, who went first general to the Chicago Bears. However he got here again as a result of he stated the timing “didn’t really feel proper,” the season didn’t “finish proper,” with Colorado ending 4-8 after a 3-0 begin, and since he desires to be the primary quarterback off the draft board.
He has the expertise, with out query, finishing 69 % of his passes for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns, with simply three interceptions, final season behind an terrible line. Scouts converse extremely of his accuracy, arm expertise and pocket mobility. The tangibles. However the intangibles are what golf equipment determine to dissect in the course of the draft course of. They may wish to find out about his make-up and management abilities. To this point this 12 months, frustration is seeping via.
He was sacked 56 instances final season and has been dropped six instances via two video games this 12 months. If his safety doesn’t enhance within the coming weeks, how will he reply? The reply may very well be a serious piece to his draft-day puzzle.
(Photograph: Matthew Stockman / Getty Photographs)
