You said: Boom or bust? Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are among the eight riskiest prospects in the NFL draft.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, teams across the league are evaluating the next wave of young talent, with eyes set on finding their franchise quarterbacks, future stars, and key contributors to propel them to victory. Among the top prospects in this year’s draft are quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, two highly intriguing, yet undeniably risky prospects. Both players have garnered significant attention for their individual performances during their college careers, but their journeys to the NFL have been filled with obstacles, uncertainty, and challenges that have made them among the riskiest, yet most tantalizing players in the draft class.
While each of these quarterbacks has the potential to become the face of a franchise, there are serious questions about their readiness to succeed in the NFL. As teams weigh their options, they must decide whether to gamble on the raw talent these players possess or pass them up in favor of safer, more established prospects. This analysis will dive into why Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are considered boom-or-bust candidates, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and the risk factors that accompany selecting them in the upcoming draft.
Shedeur Sanders: The Star Son of Deion Sanders
Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, enters the 2025 NFL Draft with a tremendous amount of hype. After transferring from the University of South Carolina to the University of Colorado, where his father was head coach, Shedeur became one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in the nation. His impressive performances in his first season at Colorado showed flashes of brilliance, but questions about his consistency and ability to transition to the NFL remain. As one of the most high-profile quarterbacks in the draft, Sanders’ future is full of both promise and potential pitfalls.
Strengths
Shedeur Sanders’ skill set is undeniably impressive. He has a natural arm strength that allows him to make all the throws required at the next level. His deep ball accuracy is one of the standout aspects of his game, and he has proven capable of making pinpoint throws down the field in critical moments. This ability to stretch the defense vertically gives him the potential to be a dual-threat quarterback capable of both explosive and strategic offensive plays.
In addition to his arm strength, Sanders has good mobility, though he’s not known for being a dynamic runner. However, his ability to extend plays with his legs, combined with a natural awareness of the pocket, helps him keep plays alive when his initial read isn’t available. Shedeur is also known for his poise under pressure—something that comes from being raised in the spotlight as the son of one of the most famous NFL players of all time. He has demonstrated maturity on the field and has shown that he can handle big moments, which will be crucial as he steps into the NFL.
Perhaps most notably, Shedeur Sanders is seen as a highly competitive player who is determined to prove himself. He carries the weight of his father’s legacy on his shoulders but is intent on carving out his own identity and making a name for himself. This drive, coupled with his natural talent, gives him an upside that teams will be keen to harness.
Weaknesses and Risk Factors
While Shedeur Sanders’ upside is undeniable, his journey to the NFL comes with several critical risk factors. One of the major concerns about Sanders is his lack of experience against top-tier competition. While his performances at Colorado have been impressive, Sanders didn’t face the same level of competition as other quarterbacks in the draft class, especially in terms of defensive schemes. Coming from a more pass-heavy system in college, Sanders will need to adjust to the more complex defensive systems of the NFL, where every team has a high level of talent and sophisticated schemes designed to challenge quarterbacks.
Another concern with Sanders is his consistency. While he shows flashes of brilliance, there are moments when he struggles to make routine throws or gets flustered under pressure. His decision-making can be inconsistent at times, especially when faced with a defense that forces him to read multiple coverages quickly. This inconsistency could lead to costly turnovers in the NFL, where teams take advantage of even the smallest mistakes.
Finally, the most significant risk Sanders faces may be the baggage that comes with being Deion Sanders’ son. While this should, in theory, be an advantage—thanks to his father’s extensive knowledge of the game—it also places added pressure on Shedeur to live up to an almost insurmountable expectation. The spotlight that has followed him throughout his college career will only intensify as he makes the leap to the NFL. Whether he can handle the increased scrutiny and perform under the weight of these expectations remains to be seen.
Boom or Bust?
Shedeur Sanders has the raw talent and the mental fortitude to succeed in the NFL, but the question is whether he can overcome his consistency issues and adjust to the more complex, faster-paced NFL game. With the right development and coaching, he could develop into a star quarterback, but if he struggles with his decision-making and adaptability, his career could fizzle out prematurely.
Cam Ward: The Small-School Star with Big Potential
Cam Ward, the talented quarterback from the University of Washington State, is another intriguing yet risky prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ward’s college career has been marked by his incredible arm strength, accuracy, and playmaking ability, but his journey from a small school to the NFL is filled with uncertainty. While he has put up eye-popping statistics and flashed the ability to make spectacular plays, questions about his ability to transition from a smaller program to the NFL’s top level have raised concerns.
Strengths
Cam Ward’s strengths as a quarterback are undeniable. He possesses an exceptional arm, capable of making every throw on the field, from deep bombs to pinpoint sideline throws. Ward’s arm strength, combined with his ability to read defenses quickly, makes him an exciting prospect for any team in need of a quarterback with a high ceiling. His deep ball accuracy is one of the best in this draft class, and his ability to generate velocity on his throws without sacrificing touch is a skill that many NFL quarterbacks struggle to develop.
Additionally, Ward has demonstrated the ability to extend plays with his legs, a valuable trait in today’s NFL. While he is not considered a top-tier scrambler or designed runner, Ward’s athleticism allows him to keep plays alive, buying himself time to make throws on the move. He’s also shown a great deal of composure in the pocket and doesn’t appear to get rattled when facing pressure, which is a crucial trait for a quarterback transitioning to the NFL.
Ward’s competitive drive is another major strength. Despite coming from a less prominent football program, Ward has consistently demonstrated his ability to compete at a high level. His willingness to improve his craft and learn from his mistakes makes him a prospect with the potential to develop into a starting quarterback at the next level.
Weaknesses and Risk Factors
One of the most significant questions surrounding Cam Ward is his competition level. Playing in the Pac-12 with Washington State, Ward did face Power Five schools, but many of these teams are not considered elite in the college football landscape. Ward has not had the same exposure to NFL-caliber defenses as other quarterbacks, and while he’s been able to put up great statistics, some scouts are skeptical about how he will handle the jump to the NFL’s more sophisticated defenses.
Ward also tends to hold onto the ball for too long at times, which can result in unnecessary sacks and turnovers. This issue, combined with occasional lapses in decision-making, could be a liability in the NFL, where defenses are much faster and quarterbacks must release the ball more quickly to avoid getting hit. His tendency to force passes when under pressure is another risk, as NFL defenses are more capable of capitalizing on these mistakes.
Another potential risk with Ward is his transition to a pro-style offense. At Washington State, Ward operated in a pass-heavy, air raid-style offense, where he was often given the freedom to make quick reads and take risks. This offensive system, while effective in college, may not translate as well to the NFL, where quarterbacks need to be more disciplined in their progressions and decision-making. Ward’s ability to adapt to a more structured system in the NFL will be a key factor in determining whether he reaches his potential.
Boom or Bust?
Cam Ward’s raw talent is undeniable, and with proper coaching, he could develop into an elite quarterback in the NFL. However, the transition from a small school to the NFL, combined with the concerns about his decision-making and consistency, makes him a risky pick. If Ward can refine his game, he has the potential to become a star, but if he struggles with the adjustment to a more complex offensive system and higher competition, he may never reach his full potential.
