I think people are both too high and too low on Sanders.
Yes Sanders had -50 rushing yards on the books for 2024, he also ate a lot of sacks because of a porous offensive line. As Patriots fans, living that nightmare the past few years, we should be able to recognize that can make a QB look a lot worse.
Sanders also had an incredible year passing in 2024, 74% completion percentage, 4134 passing yards, and 37 TD pass to only 10 INTs with an impressive 8.7 yards per attempt and 318 passing yards per game. This also behind that same putrid offensive line.
He looks like a pretty good pocket passer who should excel once he gets decent protection and weapons. If he can keep that accuracy in the pros, there's no reason to think he won't turn into an average to above average NFL starter. Is he special though? No idea, don't follow him close enough. But I don't see the reason for the bashing.
He probably shouldn't go #3 overall but QBs always rise as the draft approaches. His other competition is Jaxson Dart who some talent evaluators like as much or maybe even more than Sanders. We'll see how draft shakes up exactly but I'm pretty sure Ward, Sanders, and Dart will all go in 1st round.