Recent reports have indicated that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders could slide out of the top 10 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft, in part because “the majority of the league” doesn’t see him as a first-round talent.
When asked to make a bold prediction for an article published on Friday, ESPN’s Field Yates shared that he feels Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart “or even” Louisville’s Tyler Shough “could go ahead of Sanders” as the draft’s QB2 on April 24.
“I’ve spoken with people around the league who think it’s possible Dart winds up following Miami’s Cam Ward among the passers,” Yates revealed. “Regardless of how highly rated a QB is on our own boards, the order they are taken is going to be decided by a small group of QB-needy teams that see each of them differently. And I’ll throw Shough in this conversation, too.”
The Tennessee Titans are expected to select Ward with the draft’s first pick.
The Cleveland Browns (pick No. 2), New York Giants (No. 3), Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6), New York Jets (No. 7) and New Orleans Saints (No.9) are among teams that were previously linked with Sanders that could go in different directions with their first choices. In another portion of Friday’s piece, Yates shared that “some evaluators believe” that Dart and Shough “are legitimate targets for the Saints over the course of the draft.”
For a different article, ESPN’s Matt Miller said that drafting Shough with the ninth pick would “fill a big need” for the Saints if it’s true that New Orleans starter Derek Carr may miss a significant portion of the 2025 season because of a shoulder injury.
“Even before the injury news surrounding Derek Carr’s shoulder, quarterback was a long-term need in New Orleans. The injury accelerated the timeline, which is why I’m taking Shough here,” Miller explained.
Shough has been called the “most talented thrower,” the “best quarterback“ and the most NFL-ready signal-caller in this draft class.
A Thursday report revealed that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin could “advocate” for the club to grab Sanders if he falls to the 21st pick. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean Sanders is a lock to be the draft’s QB3 if the Saints take Dart or Shough at No. 9.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe is allegedly the quarterback the Browns “covet most in the draft,” so much so that Cleveland could consider moving up to the 20th pick to ensure the Steelers don’t take the former Crimson Tide star.
It appears there are now real reasons to believe Sanders could be the third or even the fourth quarterback drafted next week.
