Shedeur Sanders’ status as the most polarizing prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft has been firmly cemented.
Reports surfaced this week that multiple teams felt the former Colorado quarterback didn’t take his interviews at the scouting combine seriously. Combined with the questions many scouts have as to whether Sanders truly warrants elite prospect status, and his odds of being the No. 1 overall pick next month have steadily plummeted.
Offered at +350 by BetMGM to go No. 1 overall in January, Sanders was behind only former Miami quarterback Cam Ward (+100) and former Colorado teammate Travis Hunter (+150). However, he has since slid to a +1500 longshot behind Ward (-225), Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter (+185) and Hunter (+1100).
The months leading up to the draft are chock full of smoke screens thrown up by coaches and front office personnel to mask their draft day intentions. But the concerns around Sanders may have some lasting power, as scouts question his 6-foot-1 frame, average arm strength and overall athleticism.
A contributing factor for some teams may include his Hall of Fame father, Deion, who has long wielded a strong influence in the football careers of his sons.
Sanders’ perceived slide down draft boards — or at least out of the No. 1 pick equation — would be a win for sportsbooks. Sanders being the first name on the board has drawn 18.7 percent of the bets and 18.4 percent of the money at BetRivers, making him the book’s second-biggest liability behind Hunter and ahead of Ward.
Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner, has been backed by 29.2 percent of the total bets, while Ward leads with 44.4 percent of the money wagered while emerging as the prohibitive favorite seven weeks out.
The action has been similar at DraftKings, where Ward leads with 28 percent of the money at -230, while Hunter has drawn 22 percent of the money and 25 percent of all bets at +600.
There remains plenty of time and opportunity for the odds to shift, starting with who ultimately holds the No. 1 overall pick come April 24.
Tennessee currently possesses the pick and is the -150 favorite to hold onto it. However, the New York Giants have garnered 57 percent of the money wagered at +200 at DraftKings to acquire the pick. The Giants, who released former first-round pick Daniel Jones midseason last year, have also been tied to available free agent quarterbacks including Aaron Rodgers.
Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said the team will not pass on a “generational talent.” The question is, do they view Ward, Hunter or any of this year’s prospect in that regard?
The top three teams in the current draft order — Tennessee, Cleveland and the Giants — all figure to be strongly considering a quarterback. However, Sanders could slide a bit if he falls out of the top three spots, which are followed by New England (who have Drake Maye) and Jacksonville (Trevor Lawrence).
The Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 are believed to be in the market for a veteran free agent or top rookie quarterback, and are followed by the Jets at No. 7.
Sanders declined to participate in the East-West Shrine Game or work out at the combine, preferring to wait for Colorado’s turn at the Big 12 Pro Day on March 18-21 in Frisco, Texas.
NFL draft analyst Todd McShay reported this week that multiple teams were disappointed in Sanders’ interviews at the combine, and that he did not take a “professional approach.” However, that was in stark contrast to what Titans coach Brian Callahan told the team’s website in January.
“You can tell he’s been raised right,” Callahan said. “He’s mature, he has a really poised way about him, and he seems like a really good kid. I enjoyed talking to him. And, you could tell he’s a guy who has been in the spotlight. He knows how to handle himself, he’s been paid money, so he has a financial perspective.
“It was a really good first impression.”
Thus far, Sanders’ status as the No. 2 quarterback in the class behind Ward appears to remain solid. Most analysts have him followed by Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.
NO. 1 OVERALL PICK ODDS*
PLAYER, POS, TEAM (JAN. ODDS/NOW)
Cam Ward, QB, Miami (+100-225)
Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State (+900/+185)
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado (+150/+1100)
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (+350/+1500)
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (+5000)
*BetMGM
The Titans remain the tip of the iceberg in the draft. They currently have third-year quarterback Will Levis atop the depth chart, although he was benched late in the season for journeyman Mason Rudolph. Will Tennessee keep that pick and, if it does, will Borgonzi opt for Ward or someone who can get after the opposing quarterback such as Carter?
“The quarterback is the most important position, arguably in sports,” Borgonzi said in January. “So you have to solidify the quarterback position. We’re going to be relentless attacking this until we find the answer.”
–Field Level Media
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