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Mel Kiper Jr. Makes Bold Prediction For Shedeur Sanders

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 8, 2025 10:31 AM ET

Mel Kiper Jr. expects big things from Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter in the NFL.

In his latest mock draft published Tuesday, Kiper has the New Orleans Saints grabbing Sanders at pick No. 9. He previously forecasted the New York Giants taking the quarterback at No. 3, but the ESPN guru now predicts they'll select Abdul Carter after the Tennessee Titans choose Cam Ward and the Cleveland Browns snag Hunter.

Despite that prognostication, Kiper ranks Sanders as his top quarterback in the 2025 class. Meanwhile, Hunter has held his draft board's No. 1 spot since August.

On Tuesday's Get Up, Kiper predicted that Deion Sanders' former stars will join him in Canton.

"I've been big on Hunter, I'm big on Shedeur Sanders," Kiper said. "I'll go down fighting on both of these Colorado Buffaloes. I think both of these kids will be Hall of Famers."

Kiper, who had the Saints taking Jaxson Dart in his previous mock draft, called Shedeur Sanders the "ideal fit" for New Orleans. He's excited about the 23-year-old playing in a dome for new head coach Kellen Moore.

His last name has drawn outsized coverage about Sanders' draft stock and NFL potential, but Kiper remains a big fan. The longtime draft analyst even evoked a legendary future Hall of Famer who has the chance to derail Kiper's mock by directing his team to take Sanders.

"Others now are critical. They're wondering what kind of NFL quarterback he can be. Why? Because he doesn't have the great arm. He's not gonna run a 4.6 (40-yard dash), and he's not 6-foot-4," Kiper said. "But when you talk about what Tom Brady was able to do in the NFL, Shedeur Sanders will go about his business the exact same way."

Kiper also said it would be "interesting" to see where Sanders lands if he slips past the Saints. The quarterback could then find himself in "no man's land" until the Pittsburgh Steelers pick at No. 21.

If Kiper is right about New Orleans landing a future Hall of Fame quarterback with the NFL Draft's ninth pick, multiple teams will regret passing on Sanders.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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