Mel Kiper rejects Tom Brady’s Raiders to link Shedeur Sanders to a historic franchise ahead of the 2025 NFL draft

Colorado Buffaloes Shedeur Sanders is set to enter the 2025 NFL draft and is viewed as one of the two best quarterbacks in his year, alongside Miami's Cam Ward. While the order in which the two QBs will be picked is up in the air, most experts agree that they will be the first two signal-callers off the board.

On Thursday, analyst Mel Kiper shared his mock draft for the top 10 picks in 2025 on ESPN's "First Draft" with analyst Field Yates. Talking about the third pick, held by a historic franchise, the New York Giants, Kiper said:

"Shedeur Sanders would be my pick. It's New York, it's the big lights, it's the big stage, it's New York. It's the pocket awareness presence. The ability to just surgically to take your team down the field. It's old school for me doing it from the pocket. Also being able to use your legs on critical third downs where you can get that first down when you have to." (15:10)

Kiper also talked about the Las Vegas Raiders and minority owner Tom Brady's interest in Sanders, saying that they will try to trade up to draft Sanders, albeit the chances of the QB landing in New York are far greater:

"I'm a big Shedeur guy. I think Tom Brady sees a little of what he did in Shedeur. Shedeur for the Raiders. I think the Raiders will try to be aggressive and try to maybe go up from where they are now at sixth. But hey, these teams also need quarterbacks. So, I will go Shedeur Sanders here to the New York Giants at pick number three." (15:57)

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Several teams in the top five could be interested in Shedeur Sanders

It has been reported for several months that both the New York Giants with the No. 3 pick, and the Las Vegas Raiders, with the No. 6, are interested in Shedeur Sanders. However, they are not the only teams with top picks in need of a quarterback.

The Tennessee Titans have the first overall pick and could use it to draft their quarterback of the future. The only question is whether they prefer Sanders or Ward. Additionally, while the Cleveland Browns still have Deshaun Watson, they do not appear committed to keeping him long-term. So, they could draft a playmaker with the second overall pick.