The NFL Draft landscape has evolved significantly in the weeks leading up to tonight’s opening round, with one prospect’s shifting fortunes capturing the attention of analysts and fans alike.
Shedeur Sanders, son of football legend Deion Sanders, entered the pre-draft process with top-five buzz but now finds himself at the center of one of the draft’s most compelling uncertainties.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, holding the 21st overall selection, have emerged as a potential landing spot for the young quarterback.
Reports suggest key figures within the organization have taken notice of Sanders’ abilities, though questions persist about his ultimate draft position.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky recently addressed these swirling rumors on “First Take,” offering a measured assessment of Sanders’ profile as a potential first-round selection.
“We can’t sit there and say, well, he’s held against him as well, because while his dad was one of the greatest ever. Shedeur’s not that right now, physically. He’s not this remarkable, rare, unbelievable, unicorn athlete,” Orlovsky stated.
.@danorlovsky7 believes teams trade back later into the first round to select QBs with “uncoachable, physical traits.”
“[Shedeur’s] not this remarkable, rare, unbelievable unicorn athlete.” pic.twitter.com/KQii8rZ9Tq
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 24, 2025
The former NFL quarterback highlighted what he sees as a contradiction in the narrative surrounding Sanders.
While some praise Shedeur for his football pedigree and upbringing under Deion’s guidance, they simultaneously argue against judging him based on that same connection.
Orlovsky’s analysis went deeper, noting the recent trend of teams trading back into the first round specifically for quarterbacks with exceptional physical traits, citing Lamar Jackson and Jordan Love as prime examples.
In his view, Sanders lacks those same rare, uncoachable physical gifts that typically drive teams to invest first-round capital in a quarterback.
Despite his solid overall profile, Orlovsky questions whether Sanders brings the distinguishing traits that separate first-round signal-callers from those selected later.
Though, NFL history is filled with quarterbacks who outperformed their draft evaluations through development and determination.
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