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Shedeur Sanders to the Giants is looking increasingly likely: A deep dive into Browns' draft plans and New York's urgency to win

Originally posted on A to Z Sports
By Mauricio Rodriguez | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 12:35 PM ET

Let's face it: We still don't know who will be the New York Giants starting quarterback in 2025. And they've signed two of them.

Sure, there's a clear front runner. After all, they signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million that can skyrocket in value if he leads the Giants to a winning season. But even he isn't guaranteed the starting gig and the reason is obvious.

The Giants own the No. 3 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft and with it, they might just select quarterback Shedeur Sanders out of Colorado. With Miami's Cam Ward expected to head to Tennessee at No. 1 overall, he is the only realistic QB choice for New York in the first round. Unfortunately, it's not just up to them.

The Cleveland Browns will be on the clock before they are and after publicly admitting trading for Deshaun Watson was a mistake, the temptation to pick Sanders will be there.

With the help of A to Z Sports' Browns writer Brandon Little, we're breaking down how likely are the Giants to wind up with Sanders when it's all said and done.

If Shedeur Sanders is there, will the Giants pick him?

It's difficult to forget Giants owner John Mara's words when asked about the team improving in January: "It better not take too long, because I've just about run out of patience."

That quote has translated into the signings of two veteran quarterbacks in Wilson and Jameis Winston. Neither is exactly the face that's expected to save the franchise. The front office will likely want a third, long-term option in the QB room and if it's not Sanders, they just won't get it the rest of the Draft.

Though he will be a rookie in 2025 and Mara is looking for improvement with urgency, Sanders isn't exactly the kind of quarterback prospect that's expected to come in with great traits and take a long time developing. In fact, his biggest calling card is his accuracy, which could translate to a high floor immediately.

"While Ward is all tools, Sanders’ tools are very modest," A to Z Sports' Ryan Roberts writes in his final QB rankings. "He is, however, the most accurate quarterback in the entire 2025 class. We saw improvements from Sanders in the pocket in 2024, but he needs to take another step forward. His game is very similar to former Minnesota Viking first rounder Teddy Bridgewater before his catastrophic leg injury."

The Giants have a "big crew" attending Colorado's Pro Day on Friday, per Albert Breer. Whether they're thinking Travis Hunter or Sanders, it's clear there is big interest in picking one of the stars working out in Boulder.

Today is Colorado Pro Day—QB Shedeur Sanders and CB/WR Travis Hunter will work out for scouts. The Giants have a BIG crew going, led by GM Joe Schoen, HC Brian Daboll, assistant GM Brandon Brown, DPP Tim McDonnell, OC Mike Kafka and DC Shane Bowen.

New York picks 3rd overall.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 4, 2025

Will the Browns pass on a quarterback at No. 2 overall, though?

Cleveland isn’t in a place to force a quarterback selection at No. 2 overall because they have other areas on the roster to fill. Sliding in a rookie quarterback who isn’t the top guy in the class won’t be pretty starting out. Sanders is the type of quarterback that Kevin Stefanski could certainly mold into a solid player, but his ceiling may not warrant being a top-2 pick in the draft.

The general feeling is that the Browns are going to choose between the two blue-chip prospects in this class; Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter. Cleveland is interested in veteran QB Kirk Cousins and bringing him in makes plenty of sense. The Browns could bring in Hunter, who they view as a wide receiver first, to be a top weapon for the offense. Surrounding Cousins with Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and Hunter would give him a nice crew to get the ball to.

On the other hand, the idea of pairing Carter with Myles Garrett is an enticing one that would help bring the Browns’ defense to another level. The defense took a step back last year and the offense being so bad was part of that. The personnel wasn’t as good either and moving Za’Darius Smith lessens the pass rush for Cleveland. Isaiah McGuire is already a very good run defender but has to improve as a pass rusher.

This is the only time that this current front office and coaching staff is going to get a chance at taking a player at No. 2 overall. If the Browns get back to that point, heads will be rolling. Cleveland taking a premier talent at No. 2 is important due to that and they can’t miss at the pick.

Could recent Deshaun Watson comments foreshadow a QB pick?

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam finally addressed the elephant in the room that the team made a mistake making the move for Deshaun Watson. Cleveland has finally accepted defeat, which points to the likelihood they’re waiting for the day to come so that they can get out from underneath Watson’s contract.

“We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said on Monday. “We thought we had the quarterback, we didn't and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we've got to dig ourselves out of that hole. (The trade) was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee and I, so hold us accountable.”

The other thing that was worth noting is that Haslam said the team wouldn’t force the pick of a quarterback if it wasn’t the right one, and that the team would find their guy of the future in a year or two. To me at least, this felt like Haslam aligning with the thought that most people have about Cleveland going with the best player available at pick No. 2.

Kenny Pickett isn’t someone you want starting Week 1, but the reality is he would be better than what the Browns had out there last year. Cleveland is taking a quarterback somewhere in the draft, but it may end up being after Round 1.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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