Shedeur Sanders is going to be one of the first three quarterbacks to be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft, barring an unforeseen and shocking change to the entire landscape of the league. However, his habit of patting the ball before he throws has once again sparked debate amongst the football world.
Is it something he needs to break?
Sanders, son of Deion, played college football at Jackson State and Colorado. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound signal-caller threw for more than 3,200 yards in all four years with 134 total touchdowns. His completion rate as a senior hovered around 75%. He threw 37 touchdowns with only 10 picks in 2024.
Anyone who says Shedeur Sanders cannot spin it would be entirely incorrect. There is no denying that. And yet, his NFL Draft stock has dropped pretty significantly over the last few weeks. Some mocks still have him going as high as two to Cleveland or three to New York. Others have him falling to the back half of the first round to a team like New Orleans. We will obviously find out what happens on April 24!
There was a lot to like about Sanders’ Pro Day at Colorado on Friday.
One particular throw stood out above the rest.
The weak arm narrative was lazy and showed many people just did not watch Shedeur Sanders. Here’s a post corner route ran by Jimmy Horn Jr that was launched with what looked like an almost effortless throw to the bottom of the numbers at his pro day. pic.twitter.com/7f6xrQx6rx
— Cam White (@Big_Head15) April 5, 2025
Sanders completed 62 of 67 passes against air. Three of the five incompletions were dropped. It was a solid day for a guy who chose not to participate at the NFL Combine.
However, regardless of where he ends up, Sanders may be asked to eliminate his pre-throw ball pat.
SHEDEUR SANDERS PRO DAY WORKOUT 🎯 @ShedeurSanders @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/D7GMfbJHmQ
— Overtime (@overtime) April 4, 2025
This never-ending debate was once again at the forefront of conversation after Shedeur Sanders’ Pro Day. Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco said the ball pat will allow NFL secondaries to tear him apart.
Boy better stop patting that ball, we breaking onnat earlyyyy
— @andrecisco7
On the other side of the debate, some of the best quarterbacks in NFL history pat the ball before they throw. That list includes Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford, among others.
Darius Slayton sees no issue.
😂😂I promise he can pat the ball and be just fine if DB’s was so good at breaking on ball pats they’d all have 8+ picks a year. Same guys that fall for a 2 man dagger concept and give up the dig on 3rd&long every season all season long talkin bout a ball pat what a joke😂
— @Young_Slay / X
Rhythm cueing can be extremely important for a quarterback’s success. The ball pat is a timing thing. Sometimes it is better not to mess with what works.
There is also what Cisco said. A ball pat can be an indicator for a defense. It could prove to be a real problem on the next level for Shedeur Sanders. Or it could be what makes him great like his mentor, Tom Brady. Only time will tell.