Shilo Sanders S Colorado | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Shilo Sanders S Colorado
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.54 seconds (59%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 24.10 DOB: 02/09/2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.54 seconds (59%*) | |
Age: 24.10 DOB: 02/09/2000 | |
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Overall Rating: | 81.1 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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78% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 108.7 | |
Tackling: |
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82% |
Run Defense: |
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72% |
Coverage: |
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74% |
Zone: |
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72% |
Man/Press: |
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73% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#253
Position rank:
#50
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College Games: 49 College Snaps: 2598 | ||
College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Beau Brade - Maryland |
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90% |
Yusuf Corker - Kentucky |
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88% |
Evan Williams - Oregon |
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83% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Shilo Sanders, a safety prospect from Colorado, faces an uphill battle in his NFL journey. Born on February 9, 2000, Sanders stands at 6'0" and weighs 195 pounds. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shilo has had a winding college career marked by both flashes of brilliance and recurring injuries.Sanders' path took him from South Carolina to Jackson State, where he earned Second-team All-SWAC honors in 2021, before landing at Colorado. In his lone season with the Buffaloes, he showed promise, finishing 9th all-time among CU defensive backs in tackles for a single season with 70 in 2023.
However, Sanders' draft stock has plummeted due to a recent shoulder injury expected to sideline him for six months. This latest setback adds to a concerning injury history that includes an ACL tear at Jackson State and previous finger issues, casting a shadow over his NFL prospects.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exhibits excellent ball skills and a nose for creating turnovers
- Displays above-average closing speed and range, allowing him to cover ground quickly in the secondary
- Shows good instincts in zone coverage, often putting himself in position to make plays on the ball
- Demonstrates willingness to come downhill and support the run, not afraid to mix it up in the box
- Versatile defender capable of playing both safety positions, increasing his value in various defensive schemes
- Possesses a high football IQ, likely benefiting from his father's expertise and experience across multiple programs
- Has shown the ability to produce in big moments, including an 80-yard pick-six against Colorado State
- Brings special teams experience from high school, potentially adding value as a rookie contributor
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal size for the safety position, which may limit his effectiveness against larger tight ends and in run support
- Man-to-man coverage skills need refinement, often relying more on athleticism than polished technique
- Tackling technique can be inconsistent, sometimes opting for highlight-reel hits over form tackles
- Injury history, including an ACL tear, raises concerns about long-term durability at the next level
- Play recognition needs improvement to succeed against the increased complexity of pro offenses
Scouting Report: Summary
Despite the setback of a shoulder injury, Shilo Sanders remains one of the most intriguing safety prospects in the 2025 draft class. His combination of football IQ, playmaking ability, and NFL pedigree could see him climb draft boards once he's back to full health. Sanders has consistently shown the ability to adapt and excel in new environments, suggesting he has the mental toughness to overcome this challenge.Sanders projects as a potential day-two pick with the upside to become an impact player in the right system. His instincts in zone coverage and knack for creating turnovers will be particularly attractive to teams looking to bolster their secondary. While he may need time to fully recover and adjust to the NFL game, Sanders has the tools to eventually compete for a starting role and make his mark on Sundays.
With his track record of resilience and playmaking ability, don't be surprised if Sanders emerges as one of the top 5 safeties taken in the draft. Teams willing to be patient with his development could find themselves with a defensive gem capable of changing the complexion of games with his ball-hawking skills and football acumen.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate Shilo Sanders (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
239.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
64.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.