Insiders address NFL Draft rumors regarding Shedeur Sanders, Saints, Steelers

Leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, different stories have linked Colorado's Shedeur Sanders with the Cleveland Browns (overall pick No. 2), New York Giants (No. 3), New Orleans Saints (No. 9), Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 21) and Los Angeles Rams (No. 26) en route to Sanders becoming the most polarizing prospect in this year's class. 

For a piece updated on Monday, draft analyst and insider Dane Brugler of The Athletic touched upon just how far Sanders could fall on the opening night of the player-selection process later in April. 

"The Browns and Giants at No. 2 and No. 3 aren’t going to give away their plans," Brugler said. "But other teams believe there is a good chance both pass on Sanders in the top three. I also believe the Saints will pass at No. 9, which could create a path for Sanders to make it to the 21st pick. But this is April, and teams aren’t 100 percent sure what they are doing yet and will be keeping everything hush-hush, so it feels like a situation very much in flux."

Longtime Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is among those who now think the club will take either Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter over Sanders at No. 2. Some eyebrows were raised when it was learned that Sanders will hold a private workout for the Giants on April 17, but reports have indicated Big Blue will likely take whoever is available between Hunter and Carter with the third pick before the club considers trading back into the first round for a signal-caller such as Sanders. 

Sanders' alleged slide down draft boards has generated headlines throughout the spring, amid takes claiming that "he isn’t a great athlete on tape, doesn’t have exceptional arm talent and too often does things that simply won’t translate to the NFL game." Multiple teams reportedly have Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart ranked as the second-best quarterback in this year's class behind Miami's Cam Ward.

The Tennessee Titans are on track to make Ward the draft's first pick. 

According to Taylyn Hadley of Bleacher Report, NFL Draft analyst and league insider Todd McShay of The Ringer reported on the latest edition of his "The McShay Show" that he's heard that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin "really likes" Sanders. 

"Shedeur could very well be a Pittsburgh Steeler," McShay added. Per McShay, the Steelers would sit Sanders behind Aaron Rodgers for at least a season if the veteran eventually signs with Pittsburgh at some point this spring. 

That's all well and good, but ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates predicted in their latest mock draft posted on Tuesday that the Saints will grab Sanders with the draft's ninth choice. 

"There's uncertainty around Derek Carr's 2025 season amid his shoulder injury, so the Saints must at least consider taking a quarterback at No. 9. Sanders displays really good accuracy, poise and toughness -- traits that should appeal to new coach Kellen Moore as New Orleans aims to stay competitive in the division," Yates explained. 

In short, it sounds as if Sanders' landing spot will be the top story to follow on April 24.