Insider shares how 'majority of the league' sees Shedeur Sanders ahead of NFL Draft

On April 14, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated raised some eyebrows when he revealed that he was "having a really hard time finding coaches or scouts who believe" that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is a first-round talent.

In his latest mailbag, Breer indicated that there is a legitimate chance Sanders will still be on the board when the draft's second round gets underway on April 25. 

"If the majority of the league doesn’t see Shedeur Sanders as a first-rounder, is it really a slide?" Breer responded to a reader's question. "I’ll bring up the Bo Nix thing again — if [Sanders] goes in the first round, as was the case with Nix last year, I think it’ll be because there’s a team that views him as a fit rather than there being the widespread thought that he’s a first-round talent. I’ve been saying this for a month. I wouldn’t be floored if he slides into the 20s or 30s. Maybe [the Pittsburgh Steelers are] his landing spot at 21. If not, I think he could get to the second round."

Regardless of how Sanders defenders may respond to takes about his personality and athleticism, it now seems like multiple teams will pass on making him the second quarterback drafted after the Tennessee Titans select Miami's Cam Ward with the first pick on April 24. 

As recently as Thursday morning, ESPN's Jordan Raanan wrote that the Cleveland Browns (pick No. 2) and New York Giants (No. 3) will go in different directions because "the value doesn't match that high a draft slot." 

The New York Jets aren't expected to acquire a quarterback at No. 7, and it's possible the New Orleans Saints (No. 9) and Steelers could target different signal-callers later in the draft. 

"I could see a scenario where Ward is the only one off the board early in the first round, and a couple of teams jump from the top of the second round into the bottom of the first round to get the fifth-year option (attached to rookie contracts)," Breer added about how far quarterbacks other than Ward may slide down the draft order. "Or, there could be some movement atop the board Friday if they’re all there after Thursday night’s Round 1 concludes."

Perhaps the Steelers having "no idea whether or not Aaron Rodgers is gonna sign with them" will cause general manager Omar Khan to go against his alleged draft board and grab Sanders with the 21st overall pick if the polarizing prospect is available. That said, it sounds like the Browns could get Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter at No. 2 and then have a chance to take Sanders with the first pick of the draft's second round.