Dave Portnoy believes Shedeur Sanders should be the No. 1 pick at this year’s NFL Draft – and that the quarterback will go on to prove him right.

Sanders, the youngest of NFL legend Deion’s three sons, will discover his fate in next week’s draft, with most experts tipping the Colorado star to be a mid-to-late pick in the first round.

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward will almost certainly go first overall to the Tennessee тιтans, while Colorado wide receiver/cornerback and Penn State pᴀss-rusher Abdul Carter are expected to be taken early on.

Yet despite racking up 4,134 pᴀssing yards for 10 touchdowns last season, some have cast doubt over Sanders’ chances of being picked in the first round after arguing that his value has been inflated.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer claims a number of NFL coaches and scouts do not view the 23-year-old as ‘first-round talent’, meaning he could be waiting a while next Thursday to hear his name called.

Portnoy, though, insists he would take Sanders with the top pick if he was an NFL team exec. 

Dave Portnoy believes Shedeur Sanders should be the No. 1 pick at this year’s NFL Draft

I consider myself a Qb expert. I love Shedeur Sanders. I’d take him #1 overall. Please put a pin in this tweet so I can say I told you so when I’m proven to be correct

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) April 15, 2025 Read More Deshaun Watson claps back at Browns owner after he branded $230m flop a ‘swing and a miss’

‘I consider myself a Qb expert. I love Shedeur Sanders. I’d take him #1 overall,’ the Barstool Sports founder wrote on X. 

‘Please put a pin in this tweet so I can say I told you so when I’m proven to be correct’.

A number of users disagreed with Portnoy, including one who replied: ‘This won’t age well.’

‘April Fools Day was a couple of weeks ago Dave,’ said another.

While a third joked: ‘Not gonna happen. Put a pin in this so you’ll know I was right.’

One fan, however, responded: ‘I agree. He is tough, hangs in the pocket and takes a beating.. people fall in love with running qbs way too much. He will be a stud.’

While another put: ‘You’re the man for this call out Dave. I’m with you. People love to trash him because of his dad, his conference, etc. Put a decent o-line in front of him and he will be precise and nice.’

To raise further questions over his chances of being picked in the first round, it was revealed earlier this week that Sanders will be conspicuously absent from next week’s draft.

Sanders, the youngest son of NFL legend Deion, will discover his fate in next week’s draft

Deion’s youngest son will not be at the event in person, despite some still backing the New York Giants to take him with the third overall pick.

Of course, as he told reporters at his Pro Day earlier this month, Shedeur sees himself as the top quarterback in this draft.

‘I could bring cameras and eyes anywhere I go,’ he declared after throwing pᴀsses to a fantastic foursome of Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr., Will Sheppard and LaJohnty Wester at Colorado’s pro day, dubbed the ‘We Ain’t Hard 2 Find Showcase.’

‘It don’t matter where I go,’ Sanders said. ‘So wherever I go it’s definitely going to be an improvement than what it was before I got there.’