Shedeur Sanders has dominated conversations surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft, as analysts continue to disagree on the player’s value. During a recent appearance on NFL Network, former Pro Bowl linebacker Jaylon Smith lauded Sanders’ potential.
According to Smith, the New York Giants should draft the young quarterback with Pick 3, despite recently signing two veterans.
Jaylon Smith Urges Former Team to Draft Shedeur Sanders
Smith represented New York in 2021 and 2022, making 15 starts, including two playoff games. In his opinion, his former team should take a chance on Sanders in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.
“The need to insure the future,” he began. “Brian Daboll being an offensive guy, drafting Shedeur Sanders. Shedeur getting a chance to learn from two veteran quarterbacks.” Smith finished with a confident projection. “The New York Giants, I believe they make the right decision by drafting Shedeur Sanders.”
.@thejaylonsmith believes that the Giants should take @shedeursanders with the 3rd pick 👀 pic.twitter.com/8ZY72tNKpo
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 11, 2025
What Would Sanders Bring to New York?
Sanders’ calling card has been his ability to remain composed and accurate in the face of heavy pressure and physical punishment. The quarterback threw 37 touchdowns and maintained a 74% completion percentage in 2024, despite facing relentless pressure in the pocket.
Sanders’ PFSN Scouting Profile offers a balanced overview of his NFL potential.
“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.”
After finally losing patience with Daniel Jones in 2024, the Giants are on the lookout for their next franchise quarterback. With the team owning the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, many fans hoped that Sanders would be wearing blue in 2025.
With this year’s class believed to be short of top quarterback talent, though, others have suggested that taking Sanders so high would be a bad move. The free-agency additions of Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson would suggest that the team is in no hurry to find their next long-term starter. With at least one blue-chip prospect expected to be available when the Giants are on the clock, the veteran additions should allow them to take the best player available.
With less than two weeks until the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders’ future team remains uncertain. Will he go high? Will he slide? Likely, we won’t find out until his name is called in Green Bay.