As the college football season progressed, it became increasingly clear that one quarterback stood above all others in the NFL Draft: Shedeur Sanders.

The Colorado signal caller has been rock solid all season, leading the Buffs to a 9-3 record and a date with BYU in the Alamo Bowl (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET). And Sanders remains at the top of the odds this week at -200 (Bet $10 to win $15 total), putting him at No. 1 overall.

But another player gained momentum late: Miami‘S Cam Wardwho led his team to a 10-2 mark and a match against Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET). The Canes star is ranked second overall in betting odds at +170 (Bet $10 to win $27 total).

Since the race seems to be heating up, we thought it would be fun for our experts to take a closer look at these two quarterbacks and address the question of which QB deserves to be drafted first.

Jason McIntyre, Rob Rang, Bucky Brooks and RJ Young were up to the task. Here’s what they had to say.

Which QB should be selected first in the NFL Draft: Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders?

Jason McIntyre: Cam Ward

I had Cam Ward #1 in my mock draft and for most QB-needy teams, I would take Ward. He’s an extremely gifted shooter, moves fluidly in the pocket, and if you watch him this season, he’s leading the Miami Hurricanes back to prominence – he’ll be 23 in May and maturity won’t be an issue.

(Jason McIntyre’s Mock Draft: Giants take Ward at No. 1, Raiders take Sanders)

The only team that definitely makes sense for Shedeur Sanders is the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders thought they had their “face” of the franchise in Jon Gruden, and that failed miserably. Sanders is a big star, but I see a lot of backyard football in him – similar to Caleb Williams.

But Sanders has only played football for his father since he was in high school, where his father was the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian in Texas. Then they both went to Jackson State. Then they both went to Colorado.

If your team drafts Shedeur, know that Deion Sanders will immediately become your next head coach. I’m not sure how many coaches will balk at this before the draft.

Rob Rang: Shedeur Sanders

No quarterback has improved his 2024 NFL Draft numbers more than Ward, but Sanders remains well ahead of him in the race to be the first signal-caller selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Statistics can be twisted to prove many things, but in the case of Sanders’ FBS-leading 74.2% completion percentage this season, the numbers confirm what is seen on film – the simple fact that “Deion’s Kid” is the The most accurate quarterback of the season is the country.

Sanders, who is 1.80 meters tall and weighs 90 kilograms, does not have a howitzer for an arm. Honestly, Wards is stronger. Additionally, Sanders has a normal, efficient release while Wards is lightning fast. And don’t be surprised if Ward is just as taller and more explosive in all the workouts the quarterbacks go through. Ward’s inspiring journey from Incarnate Wood to Washington State and a Heisman Trophy finalist in Miami is undeniable and a stark contrast to the perceived pampering Sanders has experienced over the past four years with his father as head coach.

From a pure football perspective, however, what sets Sanders apart from the other quarterbacks in this class is his precision and anticipation. With his flat foot in the pocket or on the move, he fires short and intermediate passes with confidence and throws the ball downfield with plus touch and trajectory, often throwing his receivers into the air. While there are some questionable decisions in his tape – an early pick-six against Nebraska, for example – he rarely makes the same mistake twice, showing the wisdom that comes with a lifetime of playing the game at a high level Observe and play level.

And while his flashy personality may be seen as worrisome by some, it is precisely his experience and apparent comfort in the spotlight that actually endears Sanders to his teammates and makes him unusually well-prepared for the media frenzy that comes with becoming his face an NFL franchise.

Bucky Brooks: Shedeur Sanders

The Shedeur Sanders vs. Cam Ward debate will take center stage during draft season, but the Colorado standout is the clear choice as the QB1 in the 2025 class. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder is the prototypical franchise quarterback that NFL teams have coveted for 20 years.

From his classic drop-back style of play to his unwavering confidence and swagger to his playmaking ability, Sanders checks all the boxes as an elite quarterback prospect. The son of a Hall of Fame player with a flamboyant personality, he has thrived on the biggest and brightest stage since he stepped onto the Jackson State University campus as a four-star recruit with a big reputation.

Sanders showcased his mettle as a franchise quarterback, leading JSU to two SWAC championships with an overall record of 23-3, including a perfect mark in conference play. He boasted a 68.3% completion rate for 6,983 yards and 70 touchdowns with just 14 interceptions while adding 157 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. The first-team All-American marshalled the SWAC defense with surgical precision, showing exceptional timing and anticipation on throws with a quick rhythm.

Additionally, Sanders demonstrated the poise, pocket awareness and diagnostic skills to punish opponents for over-aggressive coverage and blitz attacks. Although critics questioned his success due to the stiff competition, it is hard to ignore his performance and performance as a young player who led his team to championships.

After moving to Colorado, Sanders silenced the critics with productive seasons and caused a stir in the NFL scouting community. He completed 71.8% of his passes for 7,156 yards with 62 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The improved accuracy, efficiency and production indicate that Sanders has quickly adjusted to Pac-12/Big 12 competition. Given his success against better competition, it’s easy to imagine him blossoming as a professional after a short period of adjustment as a rookie.

Sanders has been too good for too long to fail at the NFL level, especially after playing in a pro offense coordinated by a former NFL head coach/offensive lineman (Pat Shurmur). He enters the league with experience implementing NFL-like concepts, shortening his learning curve as a rookie. Additionally, he is a four-year starter with 50 collegiate starts (including the 2024 Alamo Bowl), which will accelerate his learning curve.

Considering Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix made it as rookies after 50-plus starts as college players, Sanders has a chance to excel as a rookie in the right environment.

While Ward’s arm talent and drive will appeal to some teams looking for a spark, Sanders’ poise, pocket awareness and big-game experience give him the nod in the QB1 debate.

RJ Young: It depends on what you’re looking for

Yes. The answer is yes, you ridiculous professional football provocateur. Yes, you criminal conscript. Yes, you dirty fantasy football fantasist.

This is one of those first world problems that the rich and famous complain about.

Would you rather have a playmaker in the pocket (Ward) or a fixer as an outfield general (Sanders)? Would you rather never pay taxes again?

Yes, you would, you rude and radical grifter.

Do you want to have the second-leading passer in the country in Ward, who threw for 4,123 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven touchdowns, or the fourth-leading passer in the country and single-season record holder in Colorado with 3,926 yards, 35 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions?

Yes, you would, you keyboard-clacking rabble-rouser.

Would you rather have the QB who throws passes to the Heisman winner (Sanders) or the one who throws passes to the most productive receiver in Miami Hurricanes history (Ward)?

Yes, you would, John Mara.

Would you rather see the quarterback forged in the crucible of Texas high school football who made a name for himself at an FCS school, moved to a Power 4 program, and then led that program to a Top 25 finish and just shy of one attended the conference? Title this season? It’s Sanders and Ward again.

Yes, you would, Jerry Jones.

Would you rather have the quarterback who started more than 40 college football games in his career?

Yes, you would Mark Davis.

Would you rather have the quarterback who went into the swamp, dropped 41 points and 385 passing yards on the Gators and then turned around and told the UF fans they weren’t enough? Then that’s Ward.

Would you rather have the QB coached by one of the greatest football players of all time and one of the greatest athletes the universe has ever seen? The one who doesn’t know what it’s like to not be famous. The one who knows who has to deal with it. The one his father called “grown up” since he was a teenager. Then draft Sanders.

Would you like to have the opportunity to enjoy the success and popularity that the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders enjoy? Then stop arguing about which one to get and just make sure you are capable of designing one. Then it’s up to you. Then it’s up to your front office to surround him with every means available to promote his development and sell him on the goals his individual talent can take you to.

Want the best chance to make your franchise a Super Bowl champion with a single pick?

Then the answer is yes.

Now here’s the hard part: don’t screw this up.

Jason McIntyre is a FOX Sports betting analyst who also writes about the NFL and NBA draft. Before joining FOX, he created the website The Big Lead. Follow him on Twitter @JasonRMcIntyre.

Rob Rang is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports. He has covered the NFL Draft for more than 20 years and has worked for FOX, Sports Illustrated, CBSSports.com, USA Today, Yahoo, NFL.com and NFLDraftScout.com, among others. He also works as a scout for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. Follow him on Twitter @RobRang.

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and host of The Number One College Football Show podcast. Follow him at @RJ_Young.

(Want great stories delivered straight to your inbox? Create your FOX Sports account or log in, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized daily newsletter.)

---

---