This former Super Bowl winner has Shedeur Sanders as QB1 above Cam Ward in the draft: “He’s a franchise quarterback”

As we approach the 2025 NFL Draft, two names have elevated themselves above their cohort as potential No. 1 pick quarterbacks. Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward may not have quite garnered the hype that surrounded Caleb Williams last year, but they are both tipped for long careers in the professional game.

Sanders and Ward have differing styles and came up against different challenges during their college careers. In many ways it’s tough to compare the two but that’s exactly what teams will be doing as we look ahead to the draft.

Former NFL cornerback Bryant McFadden did the same on a recent appearance on CBS Sports HQ. He explained that, for him, Sanders is the top quarterback pick of his class.

“Me, personally, I have Shedeur Sanders as my QB1 above Cam Ward,” McFadden said. “If Tennessee selects Cam Ward, I’m OK with that, but Shedeur should not drop at all.”

“These false narratives that we’ve seen associated with Shedeur Sanders' name doesn’t make any sense. How can a player lose draft leverage when the season is over? I thought we watched tape. I thought you dissect game in and game out - either live action or just watch the tape.”

‘Shedeur Sanders is a franchise quarterback’

Bryant was drafted with the 62nd pick of the 2005 NFL Draft and went on to play seven seasons in the league, spending six of those years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won two Super Bowls in Pittsburgh and knows what it takes to succeed in the NFL.

In the pre-draft projections Sanders' stock has been rising and falling rapidly and he has been one of the most polarising talents to emerge in recent years. For some, he’s a multi-threat quarterback that has triumphed in adversity. For others, he’s a sub-par passer who has benefitted from the name of his famous father.

A recent ESPN projection put Sanders at 19th overall, a major shock given the lack of depth in the quarterback position. But Bryant is in no doubt of Sanders' ability and maintains that the Colorado QB can be a good-value No. 1 draft pick for a team.

“Everything about Shedeur Sanders, when you turn on his tape, it says a franchise quarterback,” he said. “‘Well, he doesn’t have the strongest of arms in terms of pushing the ball down the football field.' Last time I checked, he does a pretty good job of throwing deep passes. And every quarterback won’t have a Josh Allen-like cannon attached to their shoulder. That shouldn’t prevent them from being drafted where they’re supposed to be.”

“Name me another quarterback in college football who has been comfortable being uncomfortable,” McFadden continued. “Shedeur Sanders had no stability in terms of offensive line production. Yet and still, he elevated the offensive linemen. He balled out. Had no significant signs of a consistent running game. Yet and still, he balled out. Every other quarterback that we’re talking about in terms of first-round grades, second-round grades - they had a better offensive structure surrounding them.”

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.