Without a shadow of a doubt, the most surprising turn of events in the 2025 NFL draft has been the epic slide Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has had.
Almost every expert out there saw Sanders as a first-round pick, and there were a few who had him going in Round 2. However, there isn't a single soul on this planet that we could find who thought the Colorado signal-caller would still be on the board going into Day 3.
The Las Vegas Raiders were heavily connected to Sanders through mock drafts, rumors and speculation dating back to last year, and that continued into this year before the team traded for Geno Smith. Even after that trade, there were still experts mocking Sanders to Las Vegas in Rounds 1 or 2.
However, the Raiders have had five chances to draft Sanders and have yet to pull the trigger. Las Vegas took one player in Round 1, another in Round 2, and three more in Round 3, but Sanders was not among any of those picks.
Going into Day 3, the Raiders are on the top-five list of favorites to land Sanders at some point, according to BetMGM. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets sport better odds.
Shedeur Sanders odds
- 1. Pittsburgh Steelers: +360
- 2. New York Jets: +550
- T-3. Dallas Cowboys: +600
- T-3. Las Vegas Raiders: +600
- T-3. Los Angeles Rams: +600
While the Raiders don't need a quarterback right away, they could use someone to groom for the future. Geno Smith will turn 35 in October and hasn't proven he has what it takes to take a team to bigger and better things than just a playoff appearance. Further, he can be cut after 2026.
With Smith in tow, the Raiders could sit Sanders for a year or two to give him more time to develop. Not to mention, he already has a relationship with Smith and having the veteran as a mentor would be huge for his development.
Sanders has deep connections to owners Mark Davis and Tom Brady, and both have praised the Colorado quarterback in the past. The Raiders have four picks going into Day 3, so they'll have more chances at Sanders if they want him.
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