Quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders finally showcased his skills in front of NFL scouts this offseason, throwing over 60 passes during Colorado’s pro day for draft-eligible players. The workout reinforced what scouts already believed: Sanders is a refined quarterback with top-tier accuracy.
Still, the session didn’t clear up the uncertainty surrounding where he’ll be selected in the draft. He’s projected to go anywhere from the No. 2 overall pick to later in the first round. One notable development, though, was a growing connection between Sanders and the New Orleans Saints.
When asked about the possibility of playing under Saints offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Sanders praised Moore’s career as a player and said it would be a great opportunity to learn from someone who’s competed at the highest level. Adding to the buzz, several sportsbooks now list the Saints as the favorites to draft Sanders.
Saints are the favorites to draft Shedeur Sanders
At the start of the offseason, the idea of Shedeur Sanders landing in New Orleans seemed unlikely. Holding the No. 9 pick, the Saints were originally thought to be out of range for Sanders, who was projected to go to one of the quarterback-needy teams picking earlier.
That scenario still remains possible, but with Cam Ward looking like a lock to go first overall and several teams in the top 10 having already secured veteran quarterbacks, Sanders could realistically slip past the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 and fall into the Saints’ lap.
That would be a significant development for New Orleans, a franchise that hasn’t taken a quarterback in the first round since drafting Archie Manning second overall in 1971. Since then, the Saints have either had stability at the position or picked too late to land one of the premier quarterback prospects.
Heading into the 2025 Draft, New Orleans finds itself without a long-term answer under center. Derek Carr is returning for a third season, and the team also has Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener on the depth chart. But if Sanders is still on the board at No. 9, the Saints will have to strongly weigh the possibility of selecting him.
Of course, availability isn’t the only factor. New Orleans will need to determine whether Sanders is a better option than Rattler or any other quarterbacks projected to be available in the second or third rounds. If they believe Sanders is their guy, they shouldn’t hesitate to make the move.
Be the first to comment