Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ slide has reached an unprecedented stage.
When is the last time a projected first-round quarterback slipped to the fourth round? Sanders (6-1, 212), the son of Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, was passed over on Day 2 by teams that were candidates to draft Sanders.
New Orleans took Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the No. 40 pick in the second round. Seattle selected Alabama’s Jalen Milroe with the No. 92 pick in the third round, and the Browns took Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel two picks later.
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That leaves Sanders unexpectedly looking for a team heading into Day 3, and at this point, it’s anybody’s guess who takes the Colorado quarterback. This is the dominant storyline of the draft.
Here are the top six candidates to take Sanders on Day 3.
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Shedeur Sanders’ best landing spots in Round 4
Las Vegas Raiders (No. 108, No. 135)
The Raiders have felt like an ideal fit for Sanders, who could learn from veteran Geno Smith, a former second-round pick on a two-year contract. It’s an ideal setup with veteran coach Pete Carroll, too. Las Vegas drafted running back Ashton Jeanty in the first round, and the Raiders now have two fourth-round picks. Of course, the franchise had three third-round picks and used two of those on Texas Tech tackle Caleb Rogers and William & Mary tackle Charles Grant. Sanders would have fit after Milroe and Gabriel came off the board in the third round.
New York Jets (No. 110)
Justin Fields is on a two-year contract, and Sanders could theoretically push for a starting job in New York. First-year coach Aaron Glenn could add Sanders to that room, and New York has a young team with playmakers, including Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Sanders would have to earn it in New York. The Jets have a pair of fifth-round picks to work with after the fourth round, too, so it might be worth a flier at this point.
Indianapolis Colts (No. 117)
Would the Colts dare to add Sanders to a room that features Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones? It seems unlikely, but this is a wild card among those fourth-round teams. Indianapolis quarterbacks combined for 20 TDs and 19 interceptions last season, and Jones was cut by the Giants. It’s not like this is a deep room.
Los Angeles Rams (No. 127)
This could be a win-win situation and a soft landing spot at this point. Matthew Stafford is the starter, but he’s also 37 and on a restructured contract. The chance to work with Sean McVay could help Sanders’ development, and he would eventually get a shot in L.A. This was a popular projected landing spot for Milroe.
Miami Dolphins (No. 116)
Tua Tagovailoa, the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has a well-documented injury history. Still, it’s tough to promote Sanders as a future starter with Tagovaioloa on a $212.4 million contract that runs through 2028. Would Sanders be willing to accept a backup role in Miami behind Tagovailoa? At this point, he might not have a choice.
Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 123)
The Steelers did not have a second-round pick, and they spent the third-round pick on Iowa running back Caleb Johnson. It’s still a potential fit knowing Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are the only QBs on the roster. The Aaron Rodgers question lingers, however, and Pittsburgh might not want to add Sanders to that mix. It’s a debate for long-time coach Mike Tomlin.
Will Cowboys trade up for Shedeur Sanders?
Dallas passed on Shedeur Sanders on Day 2. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has ties with Deion Sanders, who was a cornerback for Dallas from 1995-99. The problem? The Cowboys do not have a fourth-round pick and do not have another pick until No. 148 in the fifth round. Jones would have to make a trade to get Sanders on Day 3.
