Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but a recent report suggests he might not be a top pick. During a recent appearance on NFL Countdown, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that it is “increasingly unlikely” Shedeur Sanders is a top-three pick. Miami’s Cam Ward is currently expected to be the first-overall pick, but the quarterback-needy Cleveland Browns and New York Giants are next on the clock. However, Schefter’s report suggests these two will instead target elite non-quarterback prospects like Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter.
“Just under a month away from the NFL Draft, it sounds increasingly unlikely that Shedeur Sanders would wind up going 2 or 3. And this is where it would get interesting, the story of the draft then would become where is Shedeur Sanders going to go? I still think the Cleveland Browns are still talking about whether or not they would take Shedeur Sanders and the New York Giants are still talking about whether or not they would take Shedeur Sanders.”
Sheduer Sanders is the beneficiary of a poor NFL Draft class. Had he come out last year, he probably wouldn’t have been anything more than the sixth or seventh quarterback selected. While he may have his flaws, a team will eventually give him a shot, and the following are the most likely destinations.
ESPN: Shedeur Sanders Could Fall In the NFL Draft
Possible Fits
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr is a fine stopgap option at the quarterback position, but the New Orleans Saints have yet to find a true heir to future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. This is probably Carr’s last season with the Saints, which means New Orleans must start planning for a new option under center. General Manager Mickey Loomis has never shied away from making aggressive moves for players he believes in, so perhaps he goes after the Colorado passer. Crazier things have happened, especially if the talent-poor New England Patriots would be willing to trade down from the fourth-overall pick.
New York Jets
The New York Jets signed Justin Fields to a respectable two-year deal, but that shouldn’t take them out of the quarterback sweepstakes. Fields has had promising moments since entering the league, but his overall body of work suggests he shouldn’t be anything more than a bridge quarterback. Fields could start in the short term, but taking Shedeur Sanders in the NFL Draft will give the Jets legitimate hope for the future. Additionally, Fields’ presence will ensure Sanders doesn’t see the field before he’s in a position to succeed.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Even if he slides in the draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers would almost certainly need to trade up to land Shedeur Sanders. Since Ben Roethlisberger called it a career, Mike Tomlin’s squad has passively addressed the quarterback position. They took two low-risk fliers on Russell Wilson and Justin Fields last year, allowed Kenny Pickett to fall into their arms in 2022, and thought Mitchell Trubisky could be an adequate short-term starter while Pickett adjusted to the NFL. These plans haven’t worked, and it’s time for the team to be aggressive. Sanders is not a can’t-miss prospect by any stretch of the imagination, but he’d offer this team more upside than any other quarterback since Roethlisberger hung up the cleats.
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