The NFL Draft is like a fourth-quarter Hail Mary—chaotic, unpredictable, and capable of rewriting legacies in seconds. Imagine Tom Brady’s sixth-round slide meeting Aaron Rodgers’ 2005 freefall, but with a twist only 2025 could deliver. Enter Shedeur Sanders’ draft pick drama. Once viewed as a surefire top-five lock, the Colorado quarterback now dangles in a draft-day limbo, sparking debates louder than a heated tailgate argument over Marino’s ’84 season. The buzz? Teams are circling like hawks, ready to pounce if his stock slips further.
So, where’s the fire behind the smoke? ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped a bombshell on The Pat McAfee Show: “Right now, a couple weeks out, I don’t think Shedeur Sanders is going No. 2. And, again, the signs point to him not going No. 3 either.” Instead, Schefter flagged the Saints (No. 9) and Steelers (No. 21) as top contenders, with dark horses like the Giants or Browns potentially trading up. “This is to me is going to be the great question of round 1,” he said. “Where does Shedeur Sanders go?”
The Slide: From Surefire to Speculation
Six months ago, Shedeur Sanders’ draft pick chatter echoed the hype around Peyton Manning. Now? Analysts compare his tumble to Rodgers’ infamous 2005 slide. Scouts whisper about pro-style readiness, while insiders note teams like the Giants cooling on him. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini added on her Scoop City podcast, “I don’t really think that means that they’re not going to draft a QB. I just think now the draft becomes super interesting with what the Giants are going to do if they decide to go best player available.” If Sanders slips past No. 3, the Raiders (No. 6) and Jets (No. 7) loom as threats—or stepping stones—to New Orleans.
Schefter’s Saints-Steelers theory hinges on history repeating. “There was a time we said Rodgers wouldn’t slide to 23,” he mused. Pittsburgh, armed with pick 21, hasn’t sent brass to Sanders’ workouts, but Schefter insists: “The only quarterback that they would consider, me reading between the lines, would be Shedeur.” Could the Steelers mimic the Packers’ Rodgers gamble? Steelers Nation is already dusting off Terrible Towels in hope.
A discussion with @tyschmit about some of the potential landing spots for Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders.
https://t.co/0Ox8ODjMq2 pic.twitter.com/MaHBY756S9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 8, 2025
Wild Cards and Whispered Rumors
Beyond the Saints and Steelers, three under-the-radar teams lurk. The Dolphins, Cardinals, and Rams—all quarterback-needy—could reshuffle the deck. Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa faces durability questions, Arizona’s Kyler Murray has skeptics in ownership, and the Rams’ Stafford isn’t getting younger. Schefter floated Arizona as a sleeper: “What if all of a sudden they take Shedeur Sanders and then put it in a position where they can move on from Kyler Murray?” Meanwhile, PFSN’s latest mock drafts Sanders to the Jets at No. 7, proving nothing’s certain until Roger Goodell steps to the podium.
Saints and Steelers: Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Pick Front-Runners?
New Orleans sits at No. 9 like a kid eyeing the last slice of pecan pie. Landing Sanders would electrify a fanbase craving a successor to Brees’ legacy. But skeptics argue: Can he handle a pro system? Schefter remains bullish: “Nine to New Orleans… those are the two scenarios in my mind that are most plausible right now.” Saints GM Mickey Loomis, known for draft-day wizardry, might need to channel his inner Sean Payton to seal the deal.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is the quiet storm. With rumors swirling about Rodgers’ indecision, the Steelers could pivot to Sanders as their future. Schefter noted, “I can’t imagine he’s gonna slide to 21. Would Pittsburgh be willing to trade up to a certain point to go get Shedeur Sanders, if he gets past those other spots?” If so, Mike Tomlin’s knack for molding raw talent could turn Sanders into the next Big Ben—or at least buy time until Rodgers faxes his answer.
Shedeur Sanders’ draft pick saga is a cocktail of suspense, strategy, and second-guessing. Will he defy the slide like Rodgers? Or become a cautionary tale? As Schefter said, “This is a fluid process, and it changes.” One thing’s certain: On April 24, every GM’s poker face will be tested.
In the words of Friday Night Lights’ Coach Taylor, “Every moment is a chance to prove who you are.” For Shedeur Sanders, draft night isn’t just a moment—it’s a reckoning. So, grab your bourbon and buckle up: This ride’s wilder than a NASCAR finish.
Main Image: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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