There is still hope for Shedeur Sanders. With the severe blow to his draft stock following the NFL Scouting Combine a few weeks ago, some analysts predicted that Sanders would slip noticeably in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, a recent revelation within the Las Vegas Raiders reignited hopes for the young prospect.
Speculation about the former Colorado Buffaloes star has been all over the place. Experts have placed him in virtually every first-round pick, and after the Scouting Combine debacle, some predicted he would fall to an early second-rounder.
Until recently, the Raiders were one of the favorites to land the son of the legendary Deion Sanders. Geno Smith’s arrival on the team almost effectively ended any possibility of Shedeur playing in Las Vegas; however, the unexpected development of this trade opened the door for young Sanders to join the Raiders.
What happened with Geno Smith?
On March 13, the Raiders announced they had traded for Smith with the Seattle Seahawks. However, The Athletic insider Tashan Reed recently revealed that Las Vegas has not reached an agreement with the 13-year veteran, so the team has not ruled out selecting a quarterback in the first round of the draft.
“Despite trading for Smith, the Raiders remain open to drafting a quarterback as early as the first round of the 2025 draft, according to league sources,” Reed explained. Smith was in the final year of his contract with Seattle, and reports indicate he is seeking a $40 million extension.
The Raiders have the sixth overall pick in this draft, which puts them in an unbeatable position to land one of the few first-round-worthy quarterbacks in this class. With Cam Ward almost locked up at No. 1 overall, Shedeur is one of the few remaining talents who can justify being a top pick.
What would Sanders’ role be in Las Vegas?
Smith’s situation complicates Sanders’ outlook. If the veteran reaches an agreement with the team and the Raiders still select a quarterback in the first round, the eventual rookie would likely end up sitting behind Smith at least for next season.
Some experts say this would be the ideal scenario for Shedeur; however, both he and Coach Prime have hinted that the young quarterback will only sign with a team that guarantees him an immediate starting spot.
The scenarios for Shedeur’s arrival in the NFL seem almost endless, but this development opens up an intriguing new possibility. All doubts will be resolved by the end of April when the draft puts all the pieces in place.
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