Shedeur Sanders projected as better NFL quarterback than Cam Ward by expert draft analyst

Former Jackson State and Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders finally sees a draft stock upward trend amid media scrutiny.

Shedeur Sanders projected as better NFL quarterback than Cam Ward by expert draft analyst

Mel Kiper Jr., Shedeur Sanders (Images via NBC News/AP)

As the NFL Draft inches closer and closer, the curiosity amongst fans and enthusiasts are on the rise. The questions range from the first overall to the quarterback class concerns, especially a specific former player’s son being one of the potential first round draftees.

In February, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had Shedeur Sanders, son of Deion Sanders, falling to the New York Jets at No. 7. However, in his latest mock draft released Tuesday, Kiper moved Sanders up to the No. 3 pick, predicting he will be taken by the New York Giants.

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While Kiper still has Cam Ward as his top quarterback, he believes Sanders’ skill set, said to mirror Jayden Daniels, makes him a prime target for the Giants. Even if New York signs Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, Kiper sees Sanders as the long-term answer at the position.

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In Sanders, New York would get a super accurate passer (74.0% completion rate in 2024) who is tough as nails. Despite taking the most sacks in the FBS over the past two seasons (94), he also tied for second in touchdown passes during that time frame (64).

Mel Kiper Jr. wrote in the article

Kiper didn’t restrict his thoughts to a news piece. He also continued with the discussion on First Take. In the famous news segment, Kiper Jr. argued that Sanders’ ability to perform under pressure proves he’s ready for the NFL.

I have him number one, QB one all along, really since last year. People say he takes too many sacks. Yes, he has to get the ball out a tick faster, but he dealt with NFL conditions. He survived hit after hit. How he did it, I don’t know.

Mel Kiper Jr. commented

With the draft approaching, speculation continues. Is the draft stock tanking over for Sanders? Will the Giants make Sanders their next franchise quarterback, or will another team jump at the chance to draft him? The countdown is on.

Mel Kiper Jr. didn’t refute claims about Jaxson Dart surpassing Shedeur Sanders

While much of the draft conversation has focused on Sanders, another quarterback is making a strong case for himself—Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. As his draft stock rises, some analysts, including Dan Orlovsky, have suggested that Dart could even surpass Sanders as the second quarterback taken in this class.

Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart (Image via Imagn Images)

On Get Up, Mel Kiper Jr. acknowledged that it’s a possibility, depending on how teams view Dart’s potential.

Not out of the question. I’m not going to oversight, laugh at anything that’s being said now because everybody has got opinions all over the place.

Mel Kiper Jr. said

In Kiper’s latest mock draft, Dart is projected to be a top-ten pick, landing at No. 9 with the New Orleans Saints. Kiper highlighted Dart’s steady improvement at Ole Miss, where he increased his completion percentage from 62% to 69% and threw for more touchdowns each season.

He also possess an attacking mentality that would put defences in a scramble and loves to extend plays with his legs – both making him an appealing prospect.

In such a scenario, the Saints will have to move up ahead or Sanders should fall down beyond No. 9 pick. Since a majority chunk of the teams wants a new franchise quarterback and the draft’s lack of good quarterback options, there’s an intense fight for the remaining names.

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