The Cleveland Browns’ selection of projected first-round talent Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft was a major surprise. His arrival has led to a ton of attention, and fans and media are clamoring for him to play. However, the coaching staff has refused to turn to Sanders, instead continuing to start Dillon Gabriel, even after he has struggled after the team traded its previous starter, Joe Flacco.
Will the Browns ultimately trade Sanders for a draft pick or two? Cleveland could ultimately decide to draft a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft, ending the Sanders and Gabriel experiment, so it’s possible they will look to get something back for Sanders now while there’s interest in the rookie. Here are five potential trade destinations for the young quarterback.
Top 4 Trade Destinations for Shedeur Sanders
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are the team that makes the most sense to trade for Sanders. After a busy offseason that included acquiring Geno Smith, drafting the explosive running back Ashton Jeanty, and hiring Super Bowl-winning head coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders entered the season with playoff aspirations. At 2-6, those hopes have faded, and the team is on track for another top-10 draft pick.
While this year’s quarterback class is promising, it is also very polarizing. If they don’t want to gamble on the prospects of this upcoming class, they could pivot toward developing Sanders under Smith’s mentorship.
Las Vegas would allow Sanders to grow in an offense built around elite young weapons like Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. If the Raiders front office believes that Sanders could be the franchise QB they’re searching for, pursuing him is a no-brainer. Not to mention, minority owner Tom Brady has a personal connection with Sanders.
With a third-round pick and two fourth-rounders at their disposal, the Raiders easily have the resources to make the trade happen. A fourth-round pick could get the deal done alone, but even sending a third would be well worth the investment if they believe he can eventually become their franchise quarterback.
New York Jets
The New York Jets’ season has been disastrous, and much of the blame falls on the offense. The Jets took a gamble on Justin Fields in free agency this past offseason, but the experiment has failed. From benching Fields to owner Woody Johnson’s criticism, the organization already seems ready to move on.
With the Jets expected to hold the top pick in the upcoming draft, many expect them to pursue a quarterback. However, trading for Sanders could provide an alternative route. Sanders’ arm talent and improvisation ability could fit well in an offense that has struggled to find stability for years.
The Jets have the draft capital to make it happen. If the Browns are willing to deal, the Jets could come up with a package Cleveland likes and give Sanders a chance to revive his trajectory in a major market.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams could be the ideal landing spot for Sanders to develop into a future starter. With Matthew Stafford still firmly in command, he would be under no pressure to start immediately. That situation would allow him to learn directly from a Super Bowl-winning and future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Once Stafford retires, Sanders would step into a perfect environment to thrive. Surrounded by superstar offensive weapons like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, along with the offensive genius at head coach that is Sean McVay, Shedeur would have all the tools to succeed. The combination of Stafford’s mentorship and McVay’s development system could set the rookie quarterback up for a long and successful career.
If general manager Les Snead views him as an appropriate heir to Stafford, this could be a move that shapes the Rams’ identity over the next decade with Sanders as their leader. The Rams possess two third-round picks, one fourth-round pick, and four sixth-round picks that could be used to construct a competitive package.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have found themselves stuck in limbo. The team is not bad enough to land a top-five selection, but they aren’t good enough to make a legitimate playoff push either. That middle ground has kept them from moving forward, and pressure is mounting for the organization to make a bold move that changes its direction.
Kyler Murray has not been what the Cardinals were hoping for. Since his promising rookie season, Murray has battled inconsistency and injuries, and his leadership has come under scrutiny. Arizona’s patience is wearing thin, and the franchise needs to find a path that will reignite the team’s future. Now, there are even calls for Arizona to continue starting Jacoby Brissett and bench Murray after the team’s upset win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
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Trading for Sanders could be exactly the kind of spark they need. He would bring excitement, upside, and publicity to an offense that desperately needs it. Either Sanders pressures Kyler to step it up, and he does, or the Cardinals eventually slot in the young gun and see if he can take their offense to the next level. With star talent such as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride, Arizona is certainly a system in which he could thrive.
The Cardinals could make the move by giving up their third or fourth-round pick, giving Sanders a chance to push Murray for the starting job while positioning themselves for the future. If the Cardinals are serious about breaking out of mediocrity, taking a swing at Sanders could be the bold step that finally puts them back on track.
Verdict
Ultimately, while Shedeur Sanders has had a rough start to his NFL career as neither the Browns nor Shedeur seems to be happy, if Cleveland truly believes in Sanders’ talent, then trading him away likely will not be an option.
Sanders’ story in Cleveland does not have to be over, but a new chapter could certainly be on the horizon. Sometimes, a turn of the page is what is best for both sides.