As the 2025 NFL Draft edges closer, doubts have emerged about the eventual draft position of Colorado quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders.
In the latest three-round mock draft from PFSN’s Justin Lewis, Sanders falls out of the top six picks, landing with the New York Jets at pick seven. Sanders was long believed to be a candidate for the first overall pick, but is now predicted by some to slide in late April.
New York Jets Draft Shedeur Sanders With Seventh Overall Pick
Sanders seems to divide opinion as a prospect. While many love his toughness and calmness under pressure, others point to his uninspiring arm strength and habit of over-complicating plays. One thing that analysts do seem to agree on, though, is that neither of the top two prospects in the 2025 Draft are quarterbacks.
Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter and Colorado’s wide receiver/cornerback hybrid Travis Hunter are believed to be the outstanding players in the 2025 class. The fact that all three teams with top-three draft picks need franchise quarterbacks, though, had clouded things. While many believe that positional need will trump ability in late April, others believe that Sanders will be overlooked in favor of better prospects.
That would mean that Sanders would likely fall out of the top six picks. The New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Las Vegas Raiders have security at the position and would almost certainly pass on Sanders. The New York Jets, however, could be tempted, having gambled on former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields in free agency.
And that’s exactly what they do in Lewis’ latest mock, capitalizing on Sanders’ slide to take a second swing on a high-upside quarterback prospect.
“The New York Jets hired Aaron Glenn as their head coach and decided to move on from Aaron Rodgers. Justin Fields is currently the Jets’ QB1, but he’s on his third NFL team and may not be the team’s long-term answer. This is an organization that needs a star, and there might not be a bigger star in the draft than Sanders.
Sanders would be surrounded by Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall and protected by an improved offensive line. While his arm strength is average, Sanders’ quick release could likely pay dividends early as the rookie figures it out.”
Will Sanders Really Slide in the Draft?
While once one of four players in contention to be taken first overall, Sanders now finds himself in a less certain position. Speaking on his podcast, NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed that there is a growing feeling that Sanders will be overlooked early on in the draft.
“It certainly feels like the Cleveland Browns are inclined to look elsewhere, aside from quarterback. And it’s starting to feel like the New York Giants, at No. 3, are starting to look elsewhere, other than quarterback,” Schefter said.
“So if the Browns don’t take Shedeur Sanders at two, and if the Giants don’t take Shedeur Sanders at three — and that is the feel that I’m getting recently — where is Shedeur Sanders going?”
Positional need may turn out not to be enough to take Sanders over elite prospects like Carter and Hunter. However, the potential impact of hitting on a quarterback could weigh heavier at pick seven. Sanders threw 134 touchdowns over four years in college, rushing for 17 more. The team has plenty of other needs, but taking a shot on Sanders could turn the franchise around.