Shedeur Sanders’ NFL legacy is a long way from being determined.
But for one night, the former Colorado Buffaloes star quarterback looked like a guy worthy of much more than a fifth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders got a preseason start in the Browns’ opener almost by default, with 40-year old Joe Flacco resting and both Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel hurt. But when given a chance like that, it’s up to the next man up to seize the opportunity.
Deion’s kid did that by showing much of the same skillset that made him Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
The number that stands out from Sanders’ time at Colorado more than any other was his final season completion percentage: 74%.
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That’s a remarkable number, no matter the types of passes being thrown, and there was plenty of down-the-field stuff with the Buffaloes’ fast wide receiver group.
It’s that accuracy that stood out again for Sanders in his debut.
His first touchdown throw of two to Kaden Davis was a remarkably tight window after Sanders looked off his first two reads and had just the right touch to feed Davis.
The second was a lower throw to Davis that had to be low to avoid a defender, which came after Sanders sidestepped in the pocket to create space.
Sanders also had a wonderful touch pass on the run to Luke Floriea for a one-handed grab down the sideline.
He showed an unexpectedly strong ability to evade pressure and run away, even running himself for a couple of first downs and also making a few nice throws after evasiveness maneuvers from oncoming pass rushers.
Sanders ended up completing 14 of his 23 passes with those two TDs while not throwing a pick or taking a sack.
He was humble in his sideline interview with CBS after his night was done, saying he did “some good and some bad” and apologizing to his father watching at home for not making every play that was there.
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At the same time, though, Sanders made throws that fifth-round QBs don’t make. He made throws that are expected of a guy who was a consensus first-round pick in mock drafts, a guy that was Mel Kiper Jr.’s QB1.
Maybe it won’t always look this good for Shedeur, but he also teased with the idea that some day, it might look even better.
This was a great start, and the hype train won’t slow down now. Shedeur is off and running.
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