According to some experts, Shedeur Sanders is second only to Cam Ward in the upcoming NFL Draft. And with several teams waiting on Aaron Rodgers’ free-agent decision, Sanders could be a backup plan for many.
But is he in the plans for the New York Giants, who hold the No. 3 overall pick? One analyst warns that if they pass on him, they’ll regret it for years.
NFL Analyst Warns Giants About Passing on Shedeur Sanders
With several veteran quarterbacks still on the free-agent market, Rodgers — a four-time MVP — appears to be the most sought-after option. The Super Bowl 45 champion is taking his time with his decision but is believed to be choosing between the Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers — the team he defeated in that Super Bowl.
The Giants can’t afford to wait too long, though, and have scheduled visits with both Russell Wilson and Joe Flacco. While Flacco would likely accept a backup role at this point in his career, Wilson would expect to start, having led the Steelers to the playoffs in 2024.
As it stands, the Giants have only one quarterback under contract — Tommy DeVito — and will need to add two quarterbacks either through the draft or free agency. New York will likely try to sign one of the available veterans and draft another.
According to Bill Simmons, that rookie should be Sanders.
“If the Giants don’t take Sanders at 3, it’s going to haunt them for the next 15 years,” Simmons tweeted.
If the Giants don’t take Sanders at 3, it’s going to haunt them for the next 15 years.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 14, 2025
Meanwhile, Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz recently reported that the Giants were the favorites to trade up for Sanders or Ward. In PFSN’s latest three-round mock draft by Marco Enriquez, they are projected to grant Simmons’ wish and take Sanders at No. 3.
“The New York Giants are running out of options at quarterback this offseason … Sanders is the most accurate passer in this class and has the mobility to extend plays. While some question his arm strength, pairing him with Malik Nabers could ease those concerns early in his career.”
He received similar praise in PFSN’s latest seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft from Jacob Infante, who made the same pairing: “The New York Giants might need to trade up from No. 3 if they want a quarterback in the first round. In this scenario, they stay put and still get their future starter.”
“A smart, accurate quarterback who improved consistently in college, Shedeur Sanders has the tools to start in the NFL. The Giants have some pieces in place for him to work with, but when you get a shot at a potential franchise quarterback, you don’t pass it up,” Infante said.
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Sanders is widely regarded as one of the most NFL-ready quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as the most accurate and reliable in the class. He holds the all-time FBS record for career completion percentage at 71.8%.
While Sanders doesn’t have the same athletic upside as some other prospects, his movement is underrated. He can operate full-field reads, manipulate defenders over the middle, and despite playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in college football, his pocket navigation is impressive. That could set him up to start as a rookie.
Beyond that, Sanders’ processing — a skill honed over years of starting experience — stands out. He can operate pre-snap, recognize defensive looks, adjust protections, and progress through reads post-snap. He’s also a measured decision-maker who protects the ball more often than not.
New York would be an ideal landing spot for Sanders. He fits a big-market team, can handle the media pressure, and would have talented weapons like Nabers and Darius Slayton.
Sanders’ Current Draft Projection and Summary
The following text is from PFSN’s Jacob Infante‘s “Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft Hub: Scouting Report, Player Profile, Projection, and More“
“How highly one values Sanders likely depends on how much one prioritizes positional value when putting together a draft board. If you put a premium on the quarterback position, it’s pretty clear Sanders is a first-round value. If not, though, the decision is not so simple.
“Sanders is an accurate and tough quarterback with a well-built frame and plenty of throws, hitting his targets in stride from each deep third of the field. He has a good enough arm to execute throws to targets in tight windows, and there’s a natural sense of timing that tells him where to place the ball right where only his receivers can get it.
“That said, there’s some mental development that needs to take place for Sanders. He’s shown that he’s capable of making full-field reads, but he tends to play Superman when he doesn’t have the raw physical talent to make that work.
“His arm, though acceptable, isn’t particularly special. He’s not a statue in the pocket, but his athleticism is average. These issues can see him try too hard to extend plays that he simply can’t make, resulting in sacks or poor throws.
“Compared to the quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, I would argue Sanders would come in seventh as a prospect, ranking behind each of the six quarterbacks selected in the first round. This might make him more of a Day 2 talent, but the 2025 NFL Draft has a severe lack of high-end quarterback value.
“Sanders arguably has the highest floor of any quarterback in the class, and he has the tools to become a solid starter in the NFL. In the right system, he could lead a team to a playoff run. Because of average physical tools, the ceiling likely does not go much further than that. However, a respectable starting quarterback is a valuable asset in today’s game, which should see him selected with a top-10 pick come April.”