NFL Owners Meetings Intel Reveals Shedeur Sanders' 'Unlikely' NFL Draft Teams

With the NFL Draft quickly approaching, one analyst believes Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders won't land with either the Cleveland Browns or New York Giants in the top three. This latest intel comes amid the NFL's annual league meetings.

Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

This week's NFL league meetings in Florida have provided some valuable insight into what teams are thinking ahead of the NFL Draft, which begins April 24. Most believe Miami quarterback Cam Ward and Colorado Buffaloes teammates Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter will hear their names called early, but it's anyone's guess regarding who lands where.

Recent trades and moves in NFL free agency have also lent some clarity toward the draft's potential top three picks. The Cleveland Browns (No. 2 pick) and New York Giants (No. 3) both added a quarterback in recent weeks, landing Kenny Pickett and Russell Wilson, respectively. Those moves suggest that if Ward goes No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans, neither the Browns nor the Giants will select Sanders.

Dec 28, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) attempts a pass as Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Tyler Batty (92) attempts to make a tackle during the third quarter at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

While appearing on ESPN's "NFL Draft Countdown," analyst Adam Schefter said it's "increasingly unlikely" Sanders will go top three in the draft.

“Right now, Greeny (host Mike Greenberg) — just under a month away from the NFL Draft — it sounds increasingly unlikely that Shedeur Sanders would wind up going two or three,” Schefter said. “That is where it would get interesting. The story of the draft then would become, where is Shedeur Sanders going to go?"

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If Cleveland and New York pass on Sanders, both Hunter and Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter are likely candidates to land in the top three as early non-quarterback picks.

“Again, we’ll see if that turns out to be right,” Schefter said. “The Browns trade for Kenny Pickett, the Giants sign Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and with the blue-chip talents that are looking like they’ll be available here — Abdul Carter from Penn State, Travis Hunter from Colorado — right now, my sense, not a report, but my sense is it would be a non-quarterback at two, a non-quarterback at three. And then, we would be off and running on draft night, wondering and speculating about where Shedeur Sanders might go in this NFL Draft.”

However, Schefter made clear that the Browns and Giants are still plenty interested in Sanders.

Mar 31, 2025; Palm Beach, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

“Now, I still think the Cleveland Browns are still talking about whether or not they would take Shedeur Sanders," Schefter said. "The New York Giants are still talking about whether or not they would take Shedeur Sanders. And it’s always possible that one of these organizations can have a change in philosophy and a shift in their thinking, and come around to Shedeur. But the way that I’m reading it right now is that he doesn’t figure to be either team’s pick right now through the tea leaves.”

The New England Patriots (No. 4 pick), Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 5), Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6) and New York Jets (No. 7) follow in the NFL draft order. All four have an in-house candidate to start at quarterback next season, meaning Sanders could see a decent slide. Or, Sanders could theoretically compete with Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith or Jets quarterback Justin Fields for a starting job in 2025.

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