ClutchPoints
Though the 2024 NFL season and the 2025 NFL Playoffs are still going strong, with the Super Bowl rematch of the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Kansas City Chiefs officially set for the Saints’ home, the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, for the fans of 30 other teams, it’s officially 2025 NFL Draft season, baby.
Now sure, technically free agency comes before the draft, and every head coaching gig isn’t filled just yet, but the draft is where the magic happens in the NFL, with top-tier collegiate talents finding their professional homes and the hopes of landing a Hall of Fame-caliber diamond in the rough like Jason Kelce running through dreams like sugarplums on Christmas Eve.
And the first stop on the road to the draft? Well that would be the East-West Shrine Game, which provides top-tier collegiate talent with a chance to interface with NFL coaches and show what they can do against their peers.
With dozens of players surely draft-bound from the event’s 100-player roster, this is the game to watch for hardcore draft heads, but which players should fans keep a close eye on? Well, these three options will certainly leave the week with the most buzz regardless of how many snaps they take in the game.
When it comes to the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl, there’s Shedeur Sanders, and then there’s everyone else in terms of NFL prospects.
The son of Deion Sanders with a highlight reel filled with incredible throws, exquisite escapability, and enough athleticism to make fans go wild, there’s a chance the University of Colorado QB could hear his name called as the first player picked in the 2025 NFL Draft if he plays his cards right.
But for that to happen, Sanders needs to actually be healthy enough to walk across the stage to shake Rodger Godell’s hands, which means not taking any unnecessary hits at an exhibition game.
Fortunately, Sanders still used his time effectively in Arlington, Texas, delivering some all-time great quotes on why he should be the top player in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“It’s not what I think, it’s what I know I could bring,” Sanders said via CBS Sports. “It’s just [about teams] understanding my personality and being able to see it. They see media, they see cameras, they see everything. Not everyone has the best and greatest intentions to represent me well …. I like that I’m able to get in the forefront of everything, and they’re able to understand me and ask me whatever question they want. I’m not ducking. I ain’t hiding. I’m right here alive in the flesh, able to answer whatever questions.
“You got to cut on the tape. I know I’m worthy of doing everything I put my mind to, so I’m always worthy of doing whatever … Decision-making, that’s the biggest and best thing you can do as a quarterback. That’s what my skill set is, decision-making. I don’t let anything alter my mind and...
