Quarterback Shadeur Sanders’ draft home is getting narrow. Falling out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, analysts and insiders have had a tough time determining where he will land. Despite the Pittsburgh Steeles passing on him at No. 21 and not picking again until No. 83, there’s still a chance Sanders links up with Mike Tomlin. They just might have to hope the Las Vegas Raiders pass him first.
Appearing on NFL Network shortly before the draft, insider Ian Rapoport reported the Raiders are considering taking him. If not, the Steelers might be Sanders’ next best chance.
“I do view the Las Vegas Raiders early in the second round as a legitimate possibility,” Rapoport said Friday evening. “My understanding is this is something they’re discussing today. They’re kicking around.”
As of this writing, Polymarket odds have the Raiders as the favorites with a 48 percent chance. The Steelers are back on the board but in a distant third place at 11 percent. Though new head coach Pete Carroll reunited with former quarterback Geno Smith via an offseason trade, drafting Sanders could be a nod towards the future while giving the team a quality backup out of the gate. A player like Sanders wouldn’t be intimidated by the glitz and glam of Las Vegas, either.
The Raiders currently hold the 37th and 68th overall selections. If Sanders’ stock truly free falls into the third-round, the Steelers could find themselves back in play.
“If the Raiders…do not take him, I actually wouldn’t be surprised if we see the next possibility in the third round with the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Rapoport said.
The Saints are expected to be in the quarterback market but have been heavily linked to Louisville’s Tyler Shough. The Cleveland Browns also possess a handful of early second-round selections, but after trading away from Sanders’ teammate WR/CB Travis Hunter, they don’t appear to be Sanders’ NFL home.
Pittsburgh’s received plenty of criticism for selecting DL Derrick Harmon over Sanders. In the end, there’s a chance the team could wind up with both.
