Coming off an inconsistent performance in a 28-10 loss to Nebraska on Saturday, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ outlook for the 2025 NFL draft remains uncertain.

On Wednesday’s episode of Unsportsmanlike on ESPN Radio (starts at :20 mark), ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. explained that Sanders could play himself out of being a top-10 pick if he struggles against a schedule that “isn’t as difficult” going forward.

It’s been a rocky start overall for the Buffaloes with a 1-1 record through two games. Sanders played well in the opener with 445 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception in a 31-26 win over North Dakota State.

Things took a turn for the worse when Colorado went up against its first FBS opponent of the 2024 season. Sanders finished 23-of-38 for 244 yards with one touchdown and one interception against Nebraska.

The interception was on a terrible read from his own end zone that Nebraska cornerback Tommi Hill picked off and returned for an easy touchdown.

As was the case last season, Colorado’s offensive line is making life difficult on Sanders. He was sacked six times against Nebraska after being sacked an FBS-high 52 times in 2023.

Some of the sacks are on Sanders because of his propensity to hold the ball, but it’s also easy to see from watching games that the protection up front is a problem.

B/R’s NFL scouting department had Sanders going No. 4 overall to the New York Giants in its first mock draft posted on Sept. 4. Kiper had the Colorado star ranked as the ninth-best player in the 2025 class, but he said on Unsportsmanlike he will drop him down after his performance against the Cornhuskers.

The schedule does lighten up for Colorado over the next few weeks, giving Sanders an opportunity to shine. The Buffaloes play Colorado State, Baylor and Central Florida before hosting No. 14 Kansas State on Oct. 12.

If Sanders plays well in those games, his draft stock will climb in a class that doesn’t have an obvious No. 1 quarterback prospect at this point.