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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Curt Popejoy

4 reasons Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders should not declare for the 2024 NFL draft

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders took the college football world by storm with his debut this season. Sanders followed his dad to Boulder when he became the head coach and wasted no time putting his name on the map as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

But as we’ve watched every snap of Sanders season, we have become less inclined to believe Sanders should declare for the 2024 NFL draft. Here are our big reasons why.

He should stay for his dad

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Coach Sanders is working hard to build a successful program at Colorado but that roster needs a ton of work. He could go into year two and have improvements at multiple positions but be forced to start over at quarterback. If the younger Sanders stayed one more year, it would be a huge leap for the program in terms of talent and success.

It isn't like he needs the money

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

A lot of prospects declare for financial reasons but Sanders is already rich. Not only is his dad a multi-millionaire, Shedeur is making millions from his NIL deals. He’s flashing diamond-encrusted Rolex watches on the field and buying a Rolls Royce. I’m not sure if the NFL can do much more for him financially right now.

He isn't better than Caleb Williams

John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports

Sanders wants to be the best he can be. This means being the top quarterback selected in the draft. If this is the case, 2024 is not the draft for him to be in. There is just too much talent at the position. Sanders is in the second tier of draft-eligible qaurterbacks including guys like Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr.

He still has a lot of room to grow

As impressive as Sanders’ highlights are, there is still a lot for him to learn about playing NFL at a high level. As we’ve seen, Sanders is still learning how to get through his reason quickly against a higher level of competition and he is still taking way too many hits.

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