We were warned about Shedeur Sanders falling out of the first round at the 2025 NFL Draft in the weeks leading up to the draft, but no one imagined the Colorado QB could fall into Day 3 of the draft, with teams picking Dillon Gabriel and Tyler Shough over him.
A total of five quarterbacks are off the board by the end of round three, leaving only a few teams in dire need of a signal caller. At this point, Sanders would just want to be drafted by anyone on Day 3, so let’s see who could end his painful wait on Saturday.
Top 4 Potential Landing Spots For Shedeur Sanders
Sanders, once a contender to go No. 1 overall, was widely considered QB2 in this year’s class, but the New York Giants traded up to select Jaxson Dart at No. 25, and three more QBs were taken ahead of him on Day 2. He performed well at Colorado’s Pro Day, but many teams and draft experts are split on how well Sanders will play in the NFL.
This caused Sanders’ stock to fall late in the pre-draft process, and he has yet to be selected.
His on-field production speaks for itself. Sanders threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns while leading the FBS with a 74.0% completion rate in 2024. Despite that, concerns about his arm strength and modest athleticism remain, with many pundits questioning whether his overall game will translate to the NFL.
Where could Sanders end up heading into Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft?
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are the only team remaining in the draft with a clear need at quarterback. Sanders visited the Steelers during his pre-draft visits, and many reports had Pittsburgh at No. 21 as the furthest the quarterback would fall. However, the Steelers picked Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, and Sanders continued to wait for his name to be called by Day 2.
Pittsburgh is still looking for a quarterback. With Mason Rudolph brought back in free agency, and Aaron Rodgers still a possibility, Sanders could be the long-term quarterback the organization desperately needs. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Sanders “remains an option” for Pittsburgh even though the team didn’t draft him in the third round.
The Steelers are picking 123rd overall in the fourth round, and given Sanders’ free fall so far, he is likely to be available by then. If Pittsburgh selects him, Sanders would walk into a stable organization, giving them both a starter and a potential franchise quarterback.
Las Vegas Raiders
With a new part-owner in Tom Brady and a head coach in Pete Carroll, the Las Vegas Raiders want to build an instant playoff contender. Bringing in Geno Smith off his career-best season, wherein he recorded 4,320 passing yards (fourth in the league) and led the Seattle Seahawks to a 10-7 finish, gives Vegas a solid veteran for the job.
But if the Raiders are thinking long-term, finding Smith’s successor might be the smart move, and it would be cheaper on Day 3. Las Vegas picked up Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick and used their second and third round picks on a guard and WR, respectively. Pairing them with Sanders could be the start of long-term success for the Raiders.
Brady has a relationship with Sanders. When he was a four-star quarterback at Trinity Christian School, the two worked out together. In 2022, when Sanders was at Jackson State, Brady signed him to an NIL deal with his BRADY Brand — the first athlete the legendary QB ever signed to an NIL or endorsement deal. After Colorado’s upset win over TCU in 2023, Brady texted Sanders, “Don’t be satisfied.”
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford returned to the Los Angeles Rams after a weird beginning to the offseason. The team permitted him to find a trade, which would have reportedly netted the Rams over $45 million in dead money.
The two sides eventually agreed to a new contract and Stafford is back in Los Angeles, but he’s not a long-term solution since he’s 37 years old and on a year-to-year basis.
Because of this, there has been some buzz that the Rams could look to draft Stafford’s successor in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders could be that guy.
Los Angeles is another potential landing spot where he wouldn’t have to start right away, and his draft-day fall could actually be for the best if it allows him to play for an offensive mastermind like Sean McVay in a huge market like L.A.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are secure for the near future with Dak Prescott under center — the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. However, they have struggled whenever he has missed games due to injuries, and Cooper Rush is now gone after signing with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.
Jerry Jones expressed interest in adding a young quarterback in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Dallas acquired Joe Milton III in a trade with the New England Patriots after he flashed immense potential in Week 18 of the 2024 season.
However, Sanders is a better prospect than Milton, and given that he is available in the fourth round and potentially beyond, Jones might be tempted to add a high-upside security blanket behind Prescott who could eventually take the reins.
Also, Jones is a businessman, so he has to be thinking about the money and attention that Sanders would generate in Dallas.
