Uncertainty of Shedeur Sanders draft position could help Saints

By Ross Jackson

While Miami quarterback Cam Ward is expected to be the first name called on April 24 as the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off, projections for another top passer are all over the place. 

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders will likely be the second name called on day one of the draft, but some believe that his range could put him all the way into the middle to late first round. This could work wonders for the New Orleans Saints if the quarterback is in their sights or if they would finally be looking to trade back for the first time since 2007.  

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders will work out for the #Titans and #Browns… but could go anywhere in the first round. pic.twitter.com/cF39RTpTt3

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 27, 2025

While Ward has been the passer most consistently connected to the Saints lately, a hefty asking price of three first round picks will be hard for New Orleans to meet. Especially since if the Tennessee Titans are shopping the No. 1 pick, the Cleveland Browns are likely on the line with an offer for No. 2.

Simply put, the Saints likely have no path to securing the top pick and top quarterback without paying a hefty price.

However, that doesn’t rule out a first round quarterback. With Sanders and Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart as additional possibilities, New Orleans need not mortgage their future. Instead, the Saints could get crafty. 

Sanders’ projections range anywhere from No. 2 overall to the Browns to late first round. That means that there is a world in which Tennessee gets their passer, the Browns go with Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, and the New York Giants take a non-quarterback at No. 3 after signing a pair of passers this offseason. 

Should that happen, the Saints should have no issue considering a trade up with the New England Patriots at No. 4 to nab Sanders. They would get a starting caliber projection at quarterback without having to give up nearly as much to get him as it would cost to get Ward. 

Getting ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets would be beneficial if New Orleans wants to get ahold of Sanders. Much like the Giants, the Raiders and Jets have acquired quarterbacks, but unlike the Giants they did not acquire multiple. Either team could still end up interested enough in Sanders that they may not allow him to fall all the way to the Saints at No. 9. 

However, should that slide to nine happen, he should be the Saints pick. Unless they want to get crafty. 

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