2025 NFL Draft: Wild-card Teams to Watch amid Shedeur Sanders to Saints Buzz
With less than a week to go before the 2025 NFL draft, we're starting to get an idea of how the early first round could unfold.
The Tennessee Titans appear poised to take Miami Cam Ward at No. 1, and there may not be many surprises or trades early on opening night. However, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is a prospect who could shake up the opening round.
Opinions on Sanders vary, but he's the second-ranked quarterback on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board and is a signal-caller who could be targeted by multiple teams. The New Orleans Saints have become a popular mock-draft destination ever since NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Derek Carr could miss significant time in 2025 with a shoulder injury.
Based on recent rumors, it seems that Sanders could go at practically any point in Round 1. Here, we'll dive into some of the latest buzz, examine the biggest wild-card teams in the Sanders sweepstakes and how each of them could impact the opening round by making him the quarterback of the future.
To help assess the other prospects these teams could be considering, we'll also examine picks from the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's recent three-round mock draft.
New York Giants
1 of 6
Current Draft Slot: No. 3
Mock Draft Selection: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Why Sanders is in Play
Technically, the Cleveland Browns could shake things up by taking Sanders with the second overall pick. However, it's looking more and more likely that Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter will be Cleveland's selection.
"I believe Travis Hunter is the more likely pick at [No.] 2 today," ESPN's Adam Schefter said on The Adam Schefter Podcast earlier this month.
The New York Giants could stay put and snag Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter, who is the second-ranked prospect on the B/R board behind only Hunter. Yet, Sanders is more likely to be in play for the Giants than the Browns.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen could both be on the hot seat this season. Theoretically, adding a rookie quarterback to the mix might buy the duo a little more time to turn things around. New York recently held a private workout with Sanders, and things "went well," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler (h/t Bleacher Report's Joseph Zucker.
If Daboll and the Giants fall in love with Sanders in the final days before the draft, he could still go as early as No. 3.
Potential Fallout of the Giants Targeting Sanders
If the Giants take Sanders third overall, it'll lead to two big developments. For one, the New England Patriots will have a shot at Carter, who, like Hunter, is largely considered a blue-chip prospect.
Carter being on the board at No. 4 could also give the Patriots an opportunity to flip the pick for maximum value.
Secondly, it would leave the Saints without a shot at Sanders, which could have them considering prospects like Mississippi's Jaxson Dart and Alabama's Jalen Milroe far earlier than most expected.
Las Vegas Raiders
2 of 6
Current Draft Slot: No. 6
Mock Draft Selection: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (pick traded to the Saints)
Why Sanders is in Play
In the B/R Scouting Department's mock, the Las Vegas Raiders flipped the sixth overall selection to the Saints before taking Michigan cornerback Will Johnson ninth overall. That's a scenario that could happen, especially if Las Vegas can convince New Orleans that it's interested in Sanders.
At the same time, the Raiders might actually be interested in Sanders.
Yes, Las Vegas traded for Geno Smith this offseason and then signed him to an extension. However, Smith is 34 years old and the quarterback of the present, not the future. At some point, the Raiders have to find that future.
According to The Athletic's Vic Tafur, "executives and agents" around the league believe Las Vegas could target a quarterback as early as Round 2. There's a chance, however, that the Raiders like Sanders enough to flip the switch at sixth overall.
It's certainly worth noting that Sanders has an established relationship with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady.
Las Vegas could also decide between now and the draft that landing a starting-caliber quarterback in Round 2 won't be feasible. The Saints loom as a threat to take Sanders, other teams could pivot to Dart or Milroe in Round 1, and Louisville's Tyler Shough has generated some first-round buzz, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel.
Potential Fallout of the Raiders Targeting Sanders
Should the Raiders stay put at No. 6 and pick Sanders to be their quarterback of the future, it would leave New Orleans and other quarterback-needy teams looking at alternative options. This could lead to a prospect like Dart—who didn't receive a first-round grade from the B/R Scouting Department—landing in the top 10.
It would also leave a top-10 prospect like Johnson or Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty available for teams picking after Las Vegas.
Carolina Panthers
3 of 6
Current Draft Slot: No. 8
Mock Draft Selection: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Why Sanders is in Play
Sanders could be in play at No. 8, though not to the Carolina Panthers. Carolina finally saw Bryce Young play up to his potential late last season, which means it shouldn't be targeting a signal-caller early again this year.
The B/R Scouting Department mocked Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker to the Panthers, and prospects like Johnson, Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan, Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron should garner consideration as well.
However, Carolina could be a wild card at No. 8 for the simple fact that it holds the draft slot before New Orleans'.
If another quarterback-needy team loves the Colorado signal-caller, trading ahead of the Saints might be its only chance to grab him. That would likely mean a massive jump for a team picking near the bottom of Round 1, but it could also mean a trade package too great for the Panthers to ignore.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (21st overall) are the most sensible trade candidate, as they await a decision from Aaron Rodgers and need a long-term quarterback plan even if Rodgers agrees to play for them in 2025. The Los Angeles Rams (26th) could also be in the market for a successor to Matthew Stafford.
The eighth overall pick could also be a spot to which teams like the Browns, Giants and Raiders are willing to move—if the Panthers believe trading up for a specific prospect is worth the effort. Such a deal could would still leave a team that may already be considering Sanders anyway ahead of the Saints.
Potential Fallout of the Panthers Trading the No. 8 Pick
The Saints would be out of the Sanders mix if the Panthers trade the eighth pick to a team eager to take him. Depending on the direction in which Carolina moves, it could take a team like Pittsburgh or Los Angeles out of the quarterback market later in the opening round.
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New Orleans Saints
4 of 6
Current Draft Slot: No. 9
Mock Draft Selection: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (pick traded to the Raiders)
Why Sanders is in Play
Sanders is in play for the Raiders because Derek Carr might not be this season.
"Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say," Rapoport posted on X on April 11.
New Orleans may have been eyeing quarterback prospects even before Carr's injury, but if he's unlikely to be available, the Saints will need to find their starter for the 2025 season.
Opinions differ on whether the Saints will (or should) do so by targeting Sanders with the ninth overall selection.
"The Saints have clear deficiencies all over their roster, which is bloated with bad contracts. Reaching for a passer at No. 9 won't change their outlook," ESPN's Matt Miller wrote.
"One of the best ways to maneuver an expensive QB on the roster during a rebuild is drafting a potential long-term answer on a rookie deal," ESPN's Jordan Reid countered.
A lot will hinge on whether general manager Mickey Loomis believes the Saints are approaching a full-on rebuild or thinks they can compete in 2025. If a long-term rebuild feels imminent, taking a higher-ceiling prospect and postponing the quarterback decision until next year might make more sense.
Given Loomis' tendency to kick contracts down the road in order to keep the Saints relevant in the NFC South, "reaching" for Sanders might be his preferred option. If it is, it could impact several teams selecting after New Orleans.
Potential Fallout of the Raiders Targeting Sanders
Obviously, if Sanders goes ninth overall, it would leave teams like the Steelers and Rams—and, potentially, any quarterback-needy team hoping to trade back into Round 1 for a quarterback—looking at other prospects. That could mean we see signal-callers like Dart and Milroe go in Round 1. It may also simply mean that we see a run on quarterbacks on Day 2.
If New Orleans snags Sanders, it could also leave the Chicago Bears with fewer options should they be looking to trade down in Round 1.
Chicago Bears
5 of 6
Current Draft Slot: No. 10
Mock Draft Selection: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Why Sanders is in Play
The Bears aren't taking a quarterback a year after taking Caleb Williams No. 1 overall. While Williams' rookie season was largely a disappointment, the expectations for him remain high—especially after Chicago rebuilt its offensive line and hired Ben Johnson as its head coach.
Chicago may stay put at No. 10 and take a future difference-maker like Ashton Jeanty, as it did in the B/R Scouting Department mock draft. If, however, Sanders slides past the Saints, the Bears might be able to cash in by trading out of the 10th spot.
"Keep an eye on the Bears at No. 10 overall; I could see them getting some calls," Reid wrote. "If the Saints don't take a QB at No. 9, things could get really interesting from that point on."
Chicago may be a wild card at No. 10 even if Sanders isn't on the board. We've seen general manager Ryan Poles make deals to improve his draft capital before—which is how the Bears ended up with the No. 1 pick (from Carolina) and Williams last offseason.
If a team is looking to trade into the top 10, calling Chicago might be its best option. Poles will probably be more eager to deal the selection if Sanders is on the board, however, since trading the chance to draft a quarterback often comes with a premium.
Potential Fallout of the Bears Trading the No. 10 Pick
If the Bears trade the 10th pick, it could jump-start some trade calls over the next couple of picks.
It would leave a top-10 prospect like Walker, McMillan or Missouri tackle Armand Membou on the board at No. 11. If a team covets that player, it could start placing calls to the San Francisco 49ers (No. 11) and Dallas Cowboys (No. 12).
Outside of the top 10, there appears to be a wide tier of good-not-great prospects.
"I don't think there's a difference between Player 10 and Player 40 in this draft," one executive told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
A trade at No. 10 involving Sanders might lead to teams scrambling for the last elite prospect in the draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers
6 of 6
Current Draft Slot: No. 21
Mock Draft Selection: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Why Sanders is in Play
Under head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are always good enough to hang around the playoff conversation. However, they haven't won a postseason game since the 2016 season, and at some point, being relevant won't be enough.
Pittsburgh has a strong roster, but it needs a quality quarterback if it is going to make a postseason run. The franchise has tried different approaches to getting off of the post-Ben Roethlisberger QB carousel—from drafting Kenny Pickett to taking fliers on Russell Wilson and Justin Fields—but none have worked.
For much of the offseason, it has felt like veteran Aaron Rodgers would be the Steelers' next choice at quarterback. It may be time to find a new plan.
The Steelers have shown interest in Rodgers. They've met with him and thrown surprisingly few other darts at the QB position—they did bring back Mason Rudolph. Rodgers, though, hasn't decided whether he even wants to play in 2025, and a decision doesn't appear imminent.
"I'm open to anything and attached to nothing. Retirement could still be a possibility," Rodgers told The Pat McAfee Show (h/t ESPN's Brooke Pryor and Richi Cimini).
If desperation sets in, the Steelers could choose to make a big swing at Sanders, especially since prospects like Dart and Milroe are largely viewed as long-term projects.
This means Pittsburgh is a wild card that could potentially consider trading up for Sanders. If it does, it could leave other teams scrambling to find a quarterback in the second half of Round 1.
Potential Fallout of the Steelers Targeting Sanders
Naturally, Sanders landing in Pittsburgh would leave Dart, Milroe, Shough and other QB prospects on the board for QB-needy teams near to back end of Round 1. It could also leave the Atlanta Falcons without a viable trade partner for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract and reportedly won't waive it until he identifies a team that won't soon transition to a rookie quarterback—as the Atlanta Falcons did with Michael Penix Jr. last season.
"Rather than taking anyone’s word for it, Cousins has already signaled to teams that he would likely want to wait to see what happens over draft weekend before accepting a trade," Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer wrote last month.
Cousins still might find a chance to compete for a starting job in New Orleans or Cleveland if those teams don't draft a quarterback highly. However, Pittsburgh looms as the most logical destination for him ahead of the draft and with Rodgers' decision pending. In Pittsburgh, he'd essentially walk onto a playoff roster as QB1.
If the Steelers make a play for Sanders, though, they'll probably be off his radar.
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