Where will Shedeur Sanders be drafted? Browns, Rams most likely fits to end 2025 NFL Draft slide

For months, this year’s NFL Draft class has been highly scrutinized, as everyone tried to predict exactly where they would be landing come April. 

As happens every year, though, the unexpected has happened.

Quarterback Cam Ward was considered a lock to the Titans at No. 1, and that’s where he landed. After that, the class and the quarterbacks were moved all over the draft.

For most of the pre-draft process, the second quarterback in the class was considered to be Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. His landing spots varied, but for the majority of time leading up to the draft, he was consistently mocked to the Browns with the No. 2 pick or the Giants with the No. 3 pick. 

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Then, news was released that Saints quarterback Derek Carr was dealing with a shoulder injury and could miss the entire 2025 season. All of a sudden, New Orleans became a player for Sanders, with analysts talking about the conversations between the team and quarterback during the NFL Combine. 

When the draft began, Cleveland traded back and passed on Sanders. New York also passed on Sanders. Then the Saints were on the clock at No. 9 and also chose to pass on the quarterback.

With Sanders’ slide in full swing, here is what the scouting reports and mock drafts are saying will happen to Sanders. 

MORE 2025 NFL DRAFT: SN’s 7-round mock | Top 250 big board | Expert mock draft roundup

Where will Shedeur Sanders be drafted?

The problem with Sanders falling out of the top 10 is that you then encounter a section of the draft where teams are usually secure in their quarterback. Teams that are choosing after the 10th pick are usually fringe playoff teams, meaning that if a QB-needy franchise is going to take Sanders in the first round, they might have to trade up for him. 

After not going in the top 10, it looked like Sanders was destined to land in Pittsburgh at No. 21. The Steelers had to rebuild its quarterback room this offseason — but didn’t really do that. They lost Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to free agency and brought back Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh is still in a stalemate with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, so it would make sense to pair another veteran with Sanders. 

The Steelers ended up passing at No. 21, and now we are in unexpected territory for the Colorado quarterback. The Giants traded up to the No. 25 spot, but they selected Jaxson Dart over Sanders.

Here’s what scouting reports were saying about Sanders. 

“Any perceptions that Sanders is a product of Heisman Trophy-winner Travis Hunter’s greatness are slowly dispelled once you hit the tape. He’s seen mixed results under an intensely bright spotlight, but there are no signs his confidence has ever wavered. Sanders possesses a baseline of poise, savvy and accuracy, traits that are integral in becoming an NFL starter. He’s slow-twitch with standard arm talent and a longer release, but he worked around those limitations with anticipation and accuracy. He plays with decent command from the pocket and finds his rhythm when working on-time and on-platform; that said, he will pass on profits and look for the big play too often. Average velocity and slower rip times mean tighter windows against faster athletes, so throwing off-platform or trying to do more than his arm talent allows is ill-advised. He’s tough and willing to take the hit to complete the throw once he’s locked into his target. Sanders is pocket mobile and finds clean alternate launch points, but he often creates pressure and sacks with undisciplined pocket drops. The tape says he has the necessary qualities to become a solid game manager if he can operate with better discipline and play to his strengths.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“You won’t find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 99 sacks over the past two seasons but still put up really strong numbers. I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he’s not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.”

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN

“With pinpoint accuracy, toughness in the pocket and field vision that allows him to make plays to every level of the field, Sanders leveled up to become of the top QBs in this class. He turned the ball over more in 2024 (10 INTs) but played with better pocket poise and timing. He completed 74% of his passes and was second in the FBS in touchdown passes (37).

Sanders has some bad habits he needs to clean up, such as throwing late over the middle and holding onto the ball for too long. That will ultimately determine his NFL success, but his accuracy and ability to make off-platform plays from different arm angles should get him drafted early in the first round.”

Matt Miller, ESPN

“Sanders is unequivocally the best pocket passer in this year’s draft class. His ball placement and ability to throw with touch are outstanding, and he has a ton of experience (25 starts at Colorado and 25 more at Jackson State). Sanders also brings a fearlessness and toughness to the position.

He will need to clean up his pocket navigation, though. While he played behind a shaky offensive line at Colorado, he led the FBS with 42 sacks taken. But he has the traits to be drafted extremely early.”

Field Yates, ESPN

“Overall, Sanders’ natural and pure passing abilities are the strength of his game. He is a high-floor prospect with a good ceiling to buy into. Sanders is best suited for a quick-passing offense, where he can play on time and on schedule. He has the mental aptitude and accuracy to become a franchise-leading quarterback.”

Dame Parson, Bleacher Report

At this point, the usual suspects (Browns, Saints, Steelers) still need QBs, so any could make a move to grab Sanders. However, given that the opportunity cost is now much lower, a team with an aging QB, like the Rams or Raiders, could also be in the mix.

Given their current picks and draft capital, the Browns and Rams seem the most likely to pull the trigger on the polarizing QB, but given the saga that Sanders’ draft journey has been, anything could still happen.

Shedeur Sanders landing spots

At this point, all 32 teams in the league have made the choice to pass on Sanders. This also means that every team chose not to select him in the first round, which comes with the ability for a fifth-year option. Now that the first 32 picks are in the books, teams will get roughly 19 hours to strategize for the second night of the draft. 

Sanders will have to wait to hear his name called, but there are some intriguing teams sitting at the start of the second round where he may not have to wait long. Here are potential teams that could take Sanders on Day 2 of the draft. 

Cleveland Browns

The Browns chose not to take Sanders’ college teammate Travis Hunter and instead traded back in the first round. In the deal, Cleveland picked up an extra early second round pick. The Browns currently hold the No. 33 and No. 36 picks in the draft. Either one of them could be used on Sanders. Cleveland chose to address the defensive line with its first pick, and with Sanders still sitting there, could get a cheap option at quarterback even without the extra fifth-year option perk. 

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders traded for Geno Smith, and signed him to a two-year extension. Still, he will turn 35 years old this season. He isn’t getting any younger and Sanders could be a quarterback in waiting in Las Vegas.  

New Orleans Saints

The Saints were a popular landing spot for Sanders at No. 9. New Orleans passed and chose to go with an offensive tackle. The Saints have the eighth pick in the second round. If Sanders is still sitting there again, it will be hard to pass up, especially given that the franchise drafted some offensive line help in the first round. 

New York Jets

The Jets are in a similar position to the Raiders. New York signed Justin Fields in free agency, but on a two-year deal. The money aspect of the contract is starting quarterback money, but now that Sanders has fallen to the second-round, this wouldn’t be a bad spot to take him. Like the Saints, the Jets took an offensive tackle in the first round who would be used to eventually protect Sanders whenever he took over under center. 

Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles continues to hate first round picks. The Rams traded out of the first round and have the 14th pick in the second-round. Los Angeles will roll with Matthew Stafford under center this season, but Sanders would provide the franchise with a quarterback of the future waiting in the wings. It would take the pressure off of him for starting this season, and he could take over in 2026. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers don’t have a second round pick at the moment, but could definitely move up. If Sanders doesn’t get selected by Cleveland with the first pick of the round, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Pittsburgh move up to select the quarterback before the Browns are back on the clock. The Steelers addressed a big team need at defensive tackle in the first-round, and now the biggest team need is without question at quarterback. 

Shedeur Sanders college stats

Here are Sanders’ stats from his time at Jackson State and Colorado.