The New York Giants are targeting Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. However, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. suggests Sanders might fall further in the first round, with one scout believing he belongs in the second half of the opening round.
Kiper’s latest mock draft has Sanders going No. 7 overall to the New York Jets.
“Sanders would elevate this New York team that was near the bottom of the league in most passing metrics this past season and allow it to build around his rookie contract,” Kiper wrote. “The youthful combination of Sanders, receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall could do some damage.”
Kiper expanded on his Jets prediction during ESPN’s “NFL Live” broadcast.
“Shedeur in New York with the Jets, to me, is perfect,” Kiper said. “He’s used to the bright lights, he won’t be intimidated by it.”
Sanders, 23, has received significant attention as the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who has coached Colorado for the past two seasons. His father’s influence could factor into team evaluations.
The quarterback threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024.
He struggled in Colorado’s Alamo Bowl loss, throwing two interceptions as the Buffaloes were defeated by a wide margin.
NFL evaluators remain divided on Sanders’ professional ceiling. Some see him as a potential superstar while others project him as a borderline NFL starter.
Sanders is widely considered one of the top two quarterbacks in this draft class.
"Shedeur in New York with the Jets, to me, is perfect."@MelKiperESPN highlighted why Shedeur Sanders is built for New York's expectations 💪 pic.twitter.com/itH4mwRjxs
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 25, 2025
