Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) prepares to pass the ball in the third quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images There are always prospects deemed to be “fallers” in the draft — players who seemed to have impressive stats or profiles but fail to stand out to NFL teams.
But this year might go down as one of the most legendary falls in recent memory.
The crown prince of quarterbacks, Shedeur Sanders, is still on the board heading into Day Three, along with a number of other studs who could still very well make an impact for a team. What causes these falls, and who are the studs still sticking around this year?
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Let’s start with the elephant — or perhaps the Buffalo — in the room. Sanders’ fall has been unprecedented. It’s not just that he’s falling; it’s that so many players thought to be lesser prospects are going ahead of him. Dillon Gabriel, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe — all players with deep red flags in their play — went on Day Two ahead of Sanders.
A number of factors seem to be at play with Shedeur’s fall. Coaches may not like the idea of Deion potentially breathing down their necks for their jobs. General managers may be troubled by Sanders’ flashy personality and concerning interviews that cropped up. Scouts may not be impressed with his arm strength.
Still, though, Sanders is definitely the most capable quarterback available on Day Three, with his pinpoint accuracy and solid ball placement.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
Oct 17, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs the ball against Boston College Eagles cornerback Bryquice Brown (19) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images Tuten’s combine numbers could not get him taken before Day Three. Despite his rocketing 40 time, Tuten was passed over in favor of backs like RJ Harvey and Kaleb Johnson.
Tuten’s fall is likely less because of his play — although the fumble count surely didn’t help his case for a third-round selection — and more because of the lack of talent disparity between the running backs. With so many guys having starting upside, waiting on running back this year may be a good strategy, as the players taken in the fifth round might not look too different from those who went in the second and third.
Tuten should be the first of the next batch thanks to his impressive movement skills and vision.
Marcus Mbow, OG, Purdue
I’m not sure what’s happening here. Mbow at one point seemed like he could have been a first-round pick after initial hype ballooned, but his projection to guard may have hurt his stock.
Mbow moves impressively and has good footwork but still comes with some project work, including building up an NFL strength profile. The fall shouldn’t go much further, but his change in projection from tackle to guard over the course of the draft process likely caused his stock to sink.
Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
Finally, a guy who feels like he may have been a victim of his own team’s bad play. Farmer seemed like a cemented Day Two pick in the preseason after the Seminoles just missed the playoffs the previous year, but after going 1–11, Farmer’s stock took an unfair tumble.
While this is just a theory — AZ Thomas did not have this problem, going at pick No. 73 — it seems likely that a combination of poor team play and worse-than-expected athleticism dragged Farmer to the fourth round or later.
His explosion off the line of scrimmage and sure tackling should find him a place in the rotation for an NFL team, though, if they can overlook his recent past.
