Draft day is tomorrow, and uncertainty still looms for Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado quarterback and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has become an enigma during this year’s NFL draft predictions.
Nebraska Coach Matt Rhule Sees Shedeur Sanders as a Top NFL Draft Pick
The quarterback position is the most valuable in the NFL. Year after year, teams continually try to find their franchise guy, while others are content with utilizing a quarterback who fits their specific system.
Whether you’re a franchise player or system performer, one thing is clear: the quarterback needs to command his players like a field general.
The ability to galvanize a team is second to none, a skill that can’t be taught. Former New York Giants assistant and Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule believes Sanders has displayed this natural ability throughout his collegiate career.
“Here’s why – to me, he’s the guy who can handle the spotlight in New York. He’s the only person raised from childhood to know how to handle the spotlight. Who are some of the greatest-ever QBs in NY – Broadway Joe and Eli Manning.”
Rhule continued, “Shedeur was trained at the foot of his dad. He’s got a completely different demeanor. The spotlight there is so large. I think he’ll crush it.”
The Giants currently hold the third overall pick. While many initially believed Sanders would be taken third overall, he has since dropped to as low as No. 21 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in various mock drafts.
With that, Sanders will likely be selected in the top 10, and coach Rhule is one of his advocates.
“I would take him No. 3 overall. Without a question.”
That’s high praise from a Nebraska-led coach who beat Sanders and Colorado last season 28-10. Sanders threw for 244 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Coach Rhule sees between the lines, dissecting the game from an expert’s perspective rather than that of a statistician.
“I think he’s tough. You can quote me on this. This is how strong I feel. He took 12 hits against us. 12 hits. There were seven sacks. He’s accurate and smart. Sees coverages. Can run if he has to. He’s gone to 2 places that haven’t won and they won.”
The Giants finished 3-14 last season and struggled to fill the void left by Saquon Barkley’s departure for their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.
To make matters worse, Barkley was crowned a Super Bowl champion just months after leaving New York, the team that selected him second overall in 2018 out of Penn State.
The Giants currently have three quarterbacks on their roster. Tommy DeVito is the only returner from last year, along with offseason veteran additions Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
KEEP READING: Stephen A. Smith Exposes Why NFL Teams Are Hesitant on Shedeur Sanders
If selected, Sanders would have the chance to learn from both Winston and Wilson, the latter of whom is a former Super Bowl champion.
If Rhule is right and Sanders can navigate the spotlight, he can become New York’s first franchise quarterback since Hall of Famer Eli Manning.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
