Week 2 NFL Draft intel: Why is top QB so polarizing?

Each week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay.

From a polarizing quarterback to an intriguing tight end, here are the players we are tracking:  

Concerns about Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders are popping up 

Sanders — the son of Buffaloes head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion — is a highly touted prospect. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him as his No. 2 QB on his initial big board. However, questions about his maturity remain. 

“I don’t trust his ability to handle the limelight, which sounds odd because he should be able to handle it more than anyone because he’s been around it his whole life,” a former general manager told The Athletic’s Jim Trotter. “I don’t mean handle the limelight; rather, is he going to be a distraction in that building? Is he going to irritate people? Do his teammates like him, or do they resent him?”   

After being sacked five times in a 28-10 road loss to Nebraska in Week 2, Sanders seemed to blame his O-line, saying, “How many times did [Cornhuskers QB Dylan Raiola] get touched?”

Colorado has pass-protection issues, but NFL teams may frown on Sanders calling out teammates in a news conference.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is ascending

In a 31-12 Week 2 road win over defending national champion Michigan, Ewers completed 24-of-36 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns and posted an above-average 89.6 QBR.  

“The guy I watched against Michigan has that No. 1 pick look and feel to me,” NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks said Wednesday on the “Move The Sticks” podcast. “He not only has the tools and talent to play at a franchise quarterback level. I think he has the toughness, and he also has the moxie you must have to be able to do it.”

According to Tankathon’s projections, the New York Jets will take Ewers with the 12th overall pick. He should keep climbing draft boards if he keeps delivering in big games.

Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II is a name to know 

Tankathon’s big board rates Gadsden the No. 107 prospect, but he may generate more notice throughout the season.

Gadsden (6-foot-5 and 236 pounds)  is one reason Syracuse ranks fourth in the FBS in passing yards (367.5 per game). In two games, he leads the Orange in receiving yards (201) and receptions (13) and is second in TD catches (three).  

“In recent years, players like Travis Kelce and George Kittle have redefined what it means to play tight end,” wrote The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler. “Both players are heavily deployed as oversized receivers, often detached from the line of scrimmage. For Gadsden, his ability to do similar things showcases a few parallels.”  

Penn State’s Abdul Carter doesn’t seem to be having a smooth transition to edge-rusher 

In his first big board, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler rated Carter his No. 2 prospect, comparing him to Penn State alum Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys star. 

However, he has posted a below-average 53.2 Pro Football Focus grade through two games and no sacks. The underwhelming numbers may be tied to a position change. This offseason, the Nittany Lions moved Carter from off-ball linebacker to edge-rusher to help replace Chop Robinson, now with the Miami Dolphins.   

“I think the best is yet to come,” Carter said after a 34-27 win over Bowling Green in Week 2, via The Athletic’s Audrey Snyder. “I just need to keep getting reps, keep getting experience.”

Still, if the team is willing, Carter might want to move back to off-ball linebacker if his stats don’t improve.

Staying at Arizona isn’t hurting wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan’s stock 

Head coach Jedd Fisch left for Washington this offseason, but McMillan stayed with Arizona, turning down lucrative NIL deals from other schools.

“I always tell everybody, ‘I turned down seven figures to make eight,'” McMillan said of not transferring via The Athletic’s Brian Hamilton.

His decision is paying off. In two games, the 6-foot-5, 212-pounder has 12 receptions for 315 yards and four TD catches. In his latest mock draft, The 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino has the Washington Commanders taking the 21-year-old with the fifth overall pick. 

Expect McMillan to keep flourishing in a road game against No. 14 Kansas State on Friday.