The long-anticipated NFL Draft is here: Colorado Buffaloes to watch

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has seen his NFL draft stock fall recently, but he's still likely to land in the first round on Thursday. (Photo by Roberto Patrick Gerra/Sko Buffs Sports)

On the eve of the 2025 NFL Draft, here’s a final look at where each Colorado Buffaloes prospect is projected to land. 

Wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter’s electrifying two-way play has made him a lock for a top-three pick. Positioned only behind quarterback Cam Ward on most mock drafts, the Cleveland Browns will look to steal Hunter as the second pick.

Several other teams are still rumored to be in the race to secure the second pick, as Cleveland is reportedly shopping it, which will no doubt make the next 24 hours for the Heisman Trophy winner full of excitement. 

With a composite score of 92 overall performance at the combine (per Next Gen Stats), the dual-threat was ranked first in each of his respective positions for production. It is yet to be determined which position Hunter will primarily take in the NFL, but it is certain that his dynamic style of play will positively impact whichever team can get their hands on him first. 

Despite previously having been projected to go just behind Hunter and almost certainly in the first five picks, quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ draft position has been steadily falling as of late, bumping him anywhere from a late top-10 to a mid-first-round selection. 

His draft odds fell from the No. 9 spot with the New Orleans Saints early this week to the latest mock draft by Fox Sports, positioning him at No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sanders was reported to have had a positive visit to Pittsburgh last month, and this spot would likely still secure him as the second quarterback drafted in the class.

With no named QB1 yet for the Steelers, this could be a good fit, while some sources still have the mobile playmaker going as high as No. 3 to the New York Giants.

At this point, there is still much movement, and what program Sanders’ generational talent will ultimately end up at can only be speculated upon. 

While the superstars for Colorado have deservingly received the lion’s share of draft buzz, they are not the only Buffs eagerly anticipating this weekend. Wide receiver LaJohntay Wester will look to bring his shifty skillset to a team at some point in the later rounds.

Despite his slight frame, Wester recorded 10 touchdowns in his final season at CU and has proved he is capable of making big plays on special teams.

Another player who falls under the radar as a result of CU’s star power is wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.

“Horn is small but competitive and has the speed to make teams pay attention,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein said of Horn. 

With a nice outing at the NFL combine, Horn’s draft stock is thought to be rising and will look to hear his name called somewhere around the sixth round. A quiet asset to the locker room and a determined competitor, this Buff’s quickness has been seen as very appealing to a variety of teams. 

Other key contributors to Colorado’s standout season will look to move on in the draft process as priority undrafted free agents. Players like wide receiver Will Sheppard, safety Shilo Sanders and defensive end BJ Green are likely to get the opportunity to earn a spot on a practice squad.