2025 NFL Draft: Should Broncos punt on 2024 and wait for Shedeur Sanders?
The 2024 NFL Draft is deep at quarterback, but that might not help the Denver Broncos, who are picking outside the top 10. There's a good chance four QBs will have been taken by then, leaving them the unenviable choice between drafting a mediocre prospect too high or foregoing a QB in this class and waiting. With Colorado star Shedeur Sanders waiting in 2025, might the latter be a smart option?
Breaking down Shedeur Sanders' scouting report
Shedeur Sanders is a tantalizing NFL prospect. Had he gone pro this year, he likely would have been considered among the best in this class and would absolutely have been a first-round pick.
He is supremely accurate and boasts a tremendous completion percentage. He is also quite athletic with a good arm for the NFL. He is able to fit balls into tight windows and generally hit every throw, especially in the short and intermediate.
However, Sanders has less than stellar pocket presence and tends to drift a little bit when he's under pressure. He has the athleticism to escape, but extending plays within the pocket isn't as strong of a suit. He also has a tendency to hold on to the ball a bit too long, something that doesn't hurt as badly in college as it will in the NFL.
Should Broncos wait for Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft?
With reports that the Denver Broncos are thinking of going all-in on a quarterback this year, it's important to ask if that's a good idea. With what their options will likely be, it's probably not.
The first pick will presumably be Caleb Williams. He will be followed by either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, leaving the latter as an option at third overall. However, if the New England Patriots pass and go for Marvin Harrison Jr., that gives a lot of teams reason to trade up.
The Minnesota Vikings have been heavily rumored to move up from 11 to four if this happens, and perhaps even for J.J. McCarthy if it doesn't. The Broncos could conceivably do the same.
If Maye or Daniels is available at four, the Broncos might consider moving up, but even then, it's not as wise since they're still relatively low on assets from all the trades they've done.
That means their best option in 2024 would be to hope for or trade back for J.J. McCarthy, but that's not great, either. Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. in the second or third round is intruiging, but also not great.
That is why they should strongly consider waiting for Shedeur Sanders in 2025 even if it means they pass on a good quarterback class for a weak one. Outside of the top three guys in this class, the options aren't all that inspiring.