Analyst sees NFC team as best 'fit' for QB Shedeur Sanders

At least "one source with knowledge" of the New York Giants' thinking reportedly now believes general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll aren't "in love with" Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders enough to make Sanders the third pick of the 2025 NFL Draft over either Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.

Nevertheless, ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak shared in a piece published Wednesday why he feels Sanders is a perfect fit for Daboll's offense that features dynamic second-year wide receiver Malik Nabers.

"34% of Sanders' pass attempts were behind the line of scrimmage, and 35% were to wide-open receivers last season (with at least five yards of separation). Those are near nation-leading rates," Solak explained. "...In New York, Sanders would find a familiar offense. Daboll's system takes much of the decision-making out of the hands of the QB, as he likes to get his playmakers the ball near the line of scrimmage."

Interestingly, Giants reporter Jordan Raanan of ESPN is among those who question how Sanders would perform in the Big Blue offense that is "built to take chances downfield" and air it out to weapons such as Nabers and speedster Jalin Hyatt. While the Giants signed two veteran signal-callers known for throwing deep passes in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this offseason, it's likely neither is the team's long-term answer at the position. 

Add in that Schoen and Daboll could both be shown the door if the Giants endure a third straight losing season, and it's understandable that they could view grabbing Sanders at pick No. 3 as a risk worth taking. 

"Why draft Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter to just help out the next guy? Why trade back for the future capital that will never be theirs to use? Push the chips to the middle," Solak wrote about why the Giants may have to make Sanders the draft's third pick. 

That said, the Giants and Cleveland Browns (pick No. 2) could both pass on Sanders when they're called to spend their top draft selections but then try to trade back into the first round for the polarizing prospect if he slides past the New Orleans Saints at choice No. 9. Some even think the Browns could move down from the second pick but not far enough that they'd miss out on Sanders. 

One unnamed team executive recently compared Sanders to Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons and Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Either would be an upgrade over what the Giants got out of their quarterbacks across the past two seasons.