The 6 Contenders for Shedeur Sanders

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has experienced a bumpy ride leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, once forecasted as the No. 1 overall pick to theorized now by some as sliding out of Round 1 altogether.

The 6 Contenders for Shedeur Sanders

That’s the nature of the draft beast, though, and quarterbacks from recent memory like Malik Willis can attest.

Now, nine days before the draft, these are the six likeliest landing spots for Sanders.

6. New York Jets

Pick Location: No. 7
Current QB1: Justin Fields

The Jets, in all likelihood, will draft an offensive tackle like Armand Membou, and that’ll be that.

Yet, as recently as two weeks ago, Sanders didn’t even really feel in play for the Jets. New general manager Darren Mougey might have to rethink his draft plan, with the certainty of Sanders flying off the board in the Top 3 totally in question.

He could draft Sanders and have the best of both worlds at quarterback, showcasing a competition between Fields and Sanders this summer.

Between the two of them, one would have to eventually be a Top 15 quarterback, right?

5. Las Vegas Raiders

Pick Location: No. 6
Current QB1: Geno Smith

NFL Network Tom Pelissero tweeted this week, “With 10 days until the draft, teams are wrapping up pre-draft visits, including Shedeur Sanders flying to Las Vegas tonight to see the Raiders per me and Ian Rapoport.”

The Raiders traded for Geno Smith this offseason, and strangely, many onlookers considered that the end-all solution for the future.

But is Smith really that good?

Sanders would inject excitement and youth into the Raiders organization, and he could even watch and learn behind Smith for a season.

Sanders also claims to be buddies with Tom Brady, who is part-owner of the Raiders.

4. Cleveland Browns

Pick Location: No. 2
Current QB1: Joe Flacco

This was all “supposed to be” elementary.

The Browns, who had only Kenny Pickett on the depth chart three weeks ago, were the odds-on favorite to draft Sanders, who would be in line to erase the stench of the Deshaun Watson era.

Fast forward to mid-April, and Cleveland has evidently fallen in love with cornerback-wide-receiver hybrid Travis Hunter — that’s easy to do — and the Browns signed Joe Flacco.

There’s still time for general manager Andrew Berry to change his mind again, but all signs point to Hunter, not Sanders, for Cleveland.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick Location: No. 21
Current QB1: Mason Rudolph

This may be the one everyone is rooting for.

Sanders would have to encounter the mightiest of draft slides to hit No. 21, but could the Steelers really say no to Sanders? Probably not.

Signing Aaron Rodgers and drafting Sanders would turn Pittsburgh into quite the circus, an odd circumstance for that storied franchise.

2. New York Giants

Pick Location: No. 3
Current QB1: Russell Wilson

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday, “ESPN Sources: Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders will hold one last private workout Thursday in Boulder, Colorado, for a contingent of officials from the New York Giants. Some final intrigue leading into next week’s NFL Draft in Green Bay.”

Imagine Sanders, Russell Wilson, and Jameis Winston in the same locker room. Sheer electricity.

The way it’s trending, the Giants will at least have the choice to pick Sanders.

1. New Orleans Saints

Pick Location: No.  9
Current QB1: Spencer Rattler

ProFootballTalk.com‘s Mike Florio wrote this week, “The odds keep swinging toward the Saints taking quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Four days ago, the Saints had odds of +300 to pick Sanders. On Friday night, following the news that Saints quarterback Derek Carr has a shoulder injury that could require surgery, the Saints have moved into negative territory. DraftKings has the Saints as -130 favorites to pick Sanders.”

Due to the perceived draft tumble on the way for Sanders, the Saints, a team that suddenly needs a quarterback because Derek Carr could miss the 2025 campaign, feel like the frontrunner.

There’s also this tweet from Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s father.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.