As of mid-April, the draft position of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders remained uncertain. Concerns about his arm strength and overall athleticism continued to stir debate among analysts, leaving his stock in the 2025 NFL Draft up in the air.
In a Monday morning article, The Athletic’s Derrik Klassen outlined why the New Orleans Saints, led by new head coach and offensive strategist Kellen Moore, could be an ideal destination for Sanders
“The idea of Moore developing Sanders as his first quarterback project is compelling,” Klassen wrote. “Sanders excels in spread passing schemes, particularly in the short passing game. He’s dependable in the short and intermediate areas and uses deep throws sparingly—something that aligns well with a West Coast-style offense.”
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. previously predicted the Saints could select Sanders with the ninth overall pick, citing the NFC South’s favorable weather and indoor stadiums as factors that could minimize concerns over Sanders’ arm strength.
This prediction came before reports indicated the Saints were one of three teams Sanders personally prefers. It was also before news broke that current New Orleans starter Derek Carr may miss time in 2025 due to a shoulder injury.
As of Monday, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Saints as the betting favorites to draft Sanders, giving them -110 odds. Still, Klassen noted that teams like the Cleveland Browns (No. 2) and New York Giants (No. 3) could overlook Sanders’ preferences and select him out of urgency.
“Finding the right fit for Sanders proved more difficult than expected,” Klassen admitted. “Cleveland’s offense, which relies heavily on deep play-action, doesn’t suit his style. While Brian Daboll’s quick-passing approach in New York could work, the Giants’ weak offensive line presents a major challenge, especially since Sanders lacks the mobility to fully utilize Daboll’s system.”
The Browns, Giants, Patriots, Jaguars, Raiders, Jets, and Panthers are all considered unlikely to take Sanders. Unless a team like the Steelers trades up to jump ahead of the Saints, New Orleans remains the most probable landing spot for the Colorado quarterback.
