Shedeur Sanders target of critical barbs from anonymous NFL team execs, coaches, scouts in NFL.com report

Shedeur Sanders isn’t without detractors, and under the cloak of anonymity, some of them came out in a piece posted on NFL.com by Tom Pelissero on Tuesday.

Pelissero annually posts a story just before the draft with anonymous comments from executives, coaches and scouts from around the NFL about quarterbacks in that year’s draft class.

Last year’s piece included statements about eventual Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix such as these:

“I see him perfect for a situation like Denver with Sean Payton and running that system and doing exactly what you want him to do and not much extra outside of that.”

“I just don’t know how much room he has to get better. In my opinion, it’s like almost as good as he’s going to be. He could be a quality, high-end backup to start and perform well in the right system with guys around him.”

So, take the words regarding the former CU standout with a shaker’s worth of salt.

But that being said, some of the critiques of Shedeur Sanders will ruffle feathers:

“I see him as more of a backup that, shoot, maybe he can develop into a fringe starter.”

“[Shedeur Sanders was] the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in in my life. He’s so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates. … But the biggest thing is, he’s not that good.”

“The dude’s only played for his dad. When things go wrong, it’s not his fault. He takes a sack, he blames the O-line.”

“The character stuff is also something that factors. From what I’ve seen at East-West Shrine and combine, there’s definitely some entitlement and special treatment that he expects. There might be some growth with that. The NFL’s still a meritocracy and you have to come in and earn it. It’s a man’s league, and he’s going to have to do it on his own.”

NOT ALL THE ASSESSMENTS REGARDING SHEDEUR SANDERS WERE NEGATIVE

On the positive side regarding Shedeur Sanders:

“He’s got ability to throw to all three levels. He’s good on the ball-out, quick passing game. Can move around. Tough as all get out. He’ll take hits and just hop up and it doesn’t really faze him. That’s impressive. … He’s got a chance to be good. There’s things there that’s got to improve. I think he can do it.”

“If you can get him to operate in the same mold that you used to see (Drew) Brees operate, which is being able to process what’s happening post-snap and get the ball out quickly and get the ball to the right guys in a timing manner, I think that’s the best approach with him.”

Certainty — at least in the form of an NFL destination — will come for Shedeur Sanders later this week when his name is announced at the NFL Draft.

For now, the chatter will persist — and probably won’t go away once he’s selected, as the CU standout — who had his jersey number retired last week, which drew criticism in some circles — will undoubtedly remain a lightning rod.

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