Colorado's Shedeur Sanders touted as third-best QB on 2024 NFL Draft boards

Buffs passer plans on returning to Boulder with a bright future ahead of him

Shedeur Sanders will return to Colorado for another year after setting a school record with 3,230 passing yards last season. He also surpassed the 10,000-yard mark for his career and currently has a total of 97 TDs. While CU's "Grown" QB is setting himself up for another career year, his projected NFL Draft stock is high.

An AFC scouting director says Sanders would be the third-best quarterback on the board, according to ESPN's Matt Miller. However, the comments by the unnamed team official dismisses the level of talent at the FCS level and what Shedeur accomplished at Jackson State.

"I had no idea he could spin it like that," the official said. "You saw him against small-school dudes before Colorado, but he came in dealing, and his poise in the pocket really impressed me. He would be in the QB3 conversation this year if he came out."

At least four NFL scouts agree with the assessment of Sanders, telling BuffsBeat he's among the "top five" passers in the 2024 draft class. North Carolina's Drake Maye and former Heisman winner USC's Caleb Williams have been touted as the top two QBs on the board for the majority of the 2023 season. Sanders had a better completion percentage than the two passers slotted above him. 

ESPN's NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. has also kept Sanders at No. 3, despite the fact he's returning to CU for his senior season.   

One of the ugly sides of all that is Colorado's offensive line gave up a record 56 sacks last season. But providing Sanders with more protection has been at the forefront of the attack for the Buffs' coaching staff this off-season. A revamped approach and multiple replacements coming via the transfer portal. Five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton will be part of that overhaul and is expected to make an immediate impact in Boulder.

Sanders is still rehabbing from a fracture back he suffered last season. Coach Prime says he'll be ready to go before the Buffaloes spring practice session.