The Patriots got their franchise quarterback in 2024, getting away from the safe and accurate for the risky and exciting but if the Patriots go best player available when they select and Sanders is there, do they take the BPA and go with Sanders or opt for best player of need? Many fans are outraged at hearing this question but let's take a look at what the media listed as the pros and cons for each entering the draft, summaries of the pros and cons and my overall assessment of each's profile. Two boom or bust quarterbacks entering the draft, but who's better, read and decide. I give my opinion between the two at the end.
6'2" 215 lbs age 22 Senior
Project First Round
Here are the pros and cons, a summary of all the good and bad that makes Sanders a boom and bust as stated by the media like I did last year with the quarterback prospects, and my overall opinion.
Pros
- Accurate passer with great ball placement and situational precision
- Toughness in the pocket and willingness to take hits
- Performs well under pressure in big-game situations
- High football IQ with advanced quarterbacking fundamentals and instincts
- Mobility with above-average escapability and functional ability to extend plays
- Poise under pressure with a cool, calm presence in the pocket
- Field vision and ability to read defenses
- Off-platform throws and ability to throw with multiple arm angles/slots
- Big-play minded passer who can layer the football over the middle of the field
- Excellent ball security and ability to avoid unnecessary risks
- Natural leader who elevates teammate performance
- Above-average athleticism with good speed
- Smooth, concise delivery and compact, smooth throwing stroke
- Excellent footwork and throwing motion
- Ability to process defensive leverage effectively and recognize single-high safeties
- Works through progressions quickly and flashes ability to anticipate windows over middle
- Solid pocket navigation and ability to sidestep rushers
- Good touch and anticipation on comebacks and curls
- Impressive anticipation on intermediate routes and excellent downfield touch
- Good air time on red zone fades and ability to deliver throws with pressure in his face
- Playmaker who extends plays and creates second-chance opportunities
- Elite creator with the ball in his hands and ability to improvise
- Slippery enough to dodge tacklers and create clean launching pads
- Efficient when outside of the pocket and continued development and improvement
- Ultimate confidence and presence
Cons
- Holds onto the ball too long, leading to sacks and pressure
- Limited athleticism, arm strength, and play strength
- Pocket navigation issues, including drifting backward or laterally
- Inconsistent decision-making and anticipation
- Tendency to force throws and overlook blitzers
- Needs to improve footwork, base, and mechanics
- Can be undisciplined when negotiating pressure
- Struggles with off-platform throws and deep ball accuracy
- Lacks ideal size, speed, change of direction, and flexibility
- Can be late to process and trigger on route breaks
- Leadership concerns and potential distractions
- Needs to quicken internal clock and avoid unnecessary sacks
- Composite arm talent falls short of elite mark
- Will be a 23-year-old rookie with uncertainty about his ceiling
- Extra hitch in step causes slightly delayed releases
- Level of play needs to translate to higher competition
- Fumbles and penalties are concerns
The Boom
Shedeur Sanders is a transformative quarterback prospect with the rare ability to elevate his teammates and dominate games. His elite processing speed, pinpoint accuracy, and unwavering poise in the pocket make him nearly unflappable in high-stress situations. With his exceptional ability to make off-platform throws, extend plays with his feet, and deliver throws with timing and anticipation, Sanders has consistently produced at an elite level in college. His strong football IQ, natural leadership skills, and clutch gene are further evidenced by his impressive performance in big games, where he has consistently risen to the occasion and led his team to victory.
The Bust
Despite his impressive college production, Shedeur Sanders' limitations as a quarterback prospect are significant and alarming. His limited athleticism, weaker arm strength, and slender build raise serious concerns about his ability to withstand the physical demands of the NFL. Furthermore, Sanders' pocket navigation issues, including drifting backward or laterally, and his tendency to hold onto the ball too long, could lead to frequent sacks and pressure. His inconsistent decision-making, anticipation, and tendency to force throws will be exposed in the NFL, potentially resulting in turnovers and struggles. Additionally, Sanders' struggles with off-platform throws, deep ball accuracy, and delayed releases will make it challenging for him to succeed against elite defenses. Unless he addresses these issues, Sanders risks becoming a draft bust, failing to live up to his potential as a starting quarterback.
Overall
Shedeur Sanders is a talented quarterback prospect with a unique blend of strengths and weaknesses, giving him a very high ceiling and low floor. He excels in accuracy, toughness, and field vision, with a strong football IQ and ability to perform under pressure in big games. Sanders' skillset, which includes making off-platform throws, extending plays, and delivering throws with timing and anticipation, makes him an enticing option for teams seeking an elite quarterback. However, his limited athleticism, average arm strength, and tendency to hold onto the ball too long raise concerns about his potential in the NFL. With refinement and development, Sanders has the potential to become a franchise quarterback, but teams must carefully weigh the risks and rewards of selecting him in the draft.
Media Profile Comparisons: Andy Dalton, Tyrod Taylor, Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith, C.J. Stroud, Joe Burrow, Tom Brady, Lamar Jackson. Josh Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, Jared Goff
(2024 report) Drake Maye is 6'4" 223 lbs and 21 years old,
Pros:
-Prototype build
-Athletism
-Escape artist
-Velocity
-Arm strength
-Throws off platform
-Throwing motions
-Accuracy
-Pocket play
-Awareness
-Processor
-Decision making
-IQ
-Field vision
-Nerves
Cons:
- Making adjustments after the snap
- Inconsistent throwing mechanics/stances
- Inconsistent footwork
- Poor decision making
- Hesitates to make decisions
- Tends to hold onto the ball
- Risk taker
- Average pocket presence
- Poor throws under pressure
- Unnecessarily puts the ball in harm's way
- Throwing between coverages/defenders
- Forces throws
- Throws with too much velocity
- Bubble thrower
- Inconsistent accuracy, misses open targets
- Sails sideline throws
- Accuracy declines when play breaks down
- Goes with the first read too often
- Too many paper cuts (quick passes)
- Doesn't lead receivers
- Tucking the ball while running
- Doesn't slide when should
- Average mobility
- Cerebral escape artist
- Not a runner by design
The Boom:
Drake Maye is a dynamic quarterback prospect with a prototype build, elite athleticism, and impressive arm talent. He's a big, strong passer who possesses exceptional velocity, accuracy, and touch, allowing him to make precise throws from various platforms. Maye can throw with velocity and accuracy, whether it's firing passes over the middle or launching deep rainbow passes. He also has good touch and ball placement on deep throws. Maye's throwing motions are smooth and efficient, enabling him to deliver the ball quickly and on target.
With his high football IQ, excellent field vision, and awareness, Maye consistently makes sound decisions and identifies opportunities to exploit defenses. When it comes to reading the defense, he takes what's given to him and makes precise throws, even fooling defenders with their eyes. He's a natural escape artist, capable of extending plays with his feet and making throws on the run. Maye's pocket presence is impressive, as he demonstrates the ability to anticipate pressure, avoid sacks, and deliver accurate passes under duress. He's not just limited to the pocket either, as he is mobile enough and can scramble when pressured or take off when they see an open running lane. Maye knows how to anticipate the blitz and avoid the rush. He even ran UNC's simple offense better than Zappe ran the Patriots' offense. Overall, Maye's unique blend of physical and mental skills makes him an exciting prospect with tremendous upside.
The Bust:
Drake Maye has a few areas where he could use some improvement, and his inconsistencies and limitations could hinder his success in the NFL. His footwork in the pocket can be sloppy and inconsistent, leading to accuracy issues and erratic throws. He also has a longer release, which can affect his throws. Sometimes, he overthrows his targets or doesn't give his receivers a chance to make yards after the catch. He throws to the area of his receivers too much instead of to them.
Maye's tendency to lock onto one receiver and neglect his progressions can result in turnovers and missed opportunities. Furthermore, his decision-making is often questionable, as he forces throws into tight windows and takes unnecessary risks. Maye's average pocket presence and inability to handle pressure effectively can lead to sacks and fumbles. Additionally, his inconsistent accuracy, particularly on deep throws and sideline passes, raises concerns about his ability to stretch the field. His post-snap movement recognition and pre-snap reads could use some work too. Unless Maye addresses these issues and develops greater consistency and poise, he risks struggling to adapt to the NFL's complexities and becoming a draft disappointment.
Overall:
Drake Maye is a prototypical quarterback for the modern NFL, boasting a unique blend of physical and mental skills. However, he is in need of significant development and will likely require a minimum of one season to refine his craft. Maye must learn to play the position more effectively, avoiding the temptation to try to be a superstar and instead focusing on consistent, smart decision-making. He has the qualities of a long-term starting quarterback, but also exhibits red flags that could lead to him being a draft disappointment. To reach his full potential, Maye must address his inconsistencies, develop greater poise, and learn to balance his aggressive playing style with smarter decision-making. With proper development and refinement, Maye could become a high-end starting quarterback in the NFL, but like many high-end prospects, he could also be a huge bust.
NFL comparisons per media Sources:
Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, Johnny Manziel, Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, Jared Goff, Daniel Jones, Malik Willis, and personally, a big armed quarterback that I thought was a bust, that got hyped, Rob Johnson.
Summary
Maye has a more prototypical quarterback build and impressive arm talent, which could give him an edge in terms of physical ability. However, Sanders' report suggests that he has a more well-rounded skill set and a stronger football IQ. Overall, based on these scouting reports, Shedeur Sanders looks like the the better quarterback prospect, with a more polished skill set and fewer areas for concern. However, Drake Maye's physical abilities and arm talent made him the better athlete and a compelling quarterback in his own right. Meaning if the Patriots draft best player available in the upcoming 2025 draft, depending on one's evaluations of both Maye and Sanders, it's not impossible that the Patriots trade Maye and draft Sanders, no matter how improbable people think it may or may not be. Although, the Patriots have already spent a season developing Maye, which has to be taken into account as Maye may has improved since he was drafted.
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