With the NFL draft just around the corner, teams are fine-tuning their strategies for the future. The San Francisco 49ers, after a disappointing 6-11 season in 2024, are one of the teams making waves in draft speculation.
Following a tough loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58, the 49ers have a crucial offseason ahead. They hold the No. 11 pick in the 2025 draft and are looking to make a bold move to bolster their roster, particularly in the quarterback position.
Will Shedeur Sanders Be the Surprise Pick for the 49ers?
At first glance, the 49ers may not seem to need a quarterback. After all, Brock Purdy, the former Mr. Irrelevant from Iowa State, has been the team’s starting quarterback for the past two seasons, stepping in after injuries sidelined Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.
Purdy’s contract is set to expire after next season, and contract talks have already started to heat up this offseason. Reports indicate that Purdy is seeking a massive extension—$60 million per year—placing him among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL.
For context, Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow is earning about $55 million annually. If Purdy’s extension comes in close to his asking price, he would enter the top five highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
However, there’s some tension in contract negotiations, as the 49ers are reportedly offering closer to the low $50 million range. With these discussions in play, the possibility of drafting a quarterback at No. 11 is very much on the table for San Francisco.
Enter Shedeur Sanders, the standout quarterback from the University of Colorado. After leading Colorado to a 9-4 record in 2024 alongside top-five pick Travis Hunter, Sanders has caught the attention of NFL scouts and analysts alike.
What if the 49ers snag Shedeur Sanders? 🤔 Kyle Shanahan’s next big move? 🔥 Contract talks with Brock Purdy are heating up! 💰 Could we see a draft day heist in San Francisco? 🏈 #KyleShanahan #ShedeurSanders #49ers #NFLDraft #BrockPurdy #NinersNation #DraftDay pic.twitter.com/9aOyVY86N7
— Sportskeeda Pro Football (@SKProFootball) March 25, 2025
Shedeur Sanders as a Prospect
Shedeur Sanders’ journey to the NFL has been anything but ordinary. Coming out of high school, he was a four-star composite quarterback prospect from Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas. Initially committed to Florida Atlantic University, Sanders flipped his commitment when his father, Deion Sanders, took the head coaching job at Jackson State.
During his two seasons at Jackson State (2021 and 2022), Sanders threw for nearly 7,000 yards, 70 touchdowns, and limited turnovers while maintaining a high completion percentage. When Deion Sanders moved to Colorado to take over as head coach, Shedeur transferred with him, entering the Transfer Portal and joining the Buffaloes.
In 2023, Sanders had a solid but tough season, finishing with 3,230 yards, a 69.3% completion rate, 27 touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions. While Colorado struggled to a 4-8 record, 2024 was a breakout year. Sanders threw for a career-high 4,134 yards, completed 74% of his passes, and tossed 37 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions, leading the Buffaloes to a much-improved season.
As a result of his stellar 2024 campaign, Sanders is now projected to be a top-ten pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While he is not expected to fall to No. 11, with teams like the New York Giants and Jets in need of quarterbacks, it will be interesting to see what the 49ers do if Sanders somehow slips to them.
Could Shedeur Sanders Fit Into Kyle Shanahan’s System?
Despite the depth at quarterback in this draft class, Sanders stands out as a fit for the 49ers’ offensive system. Kyle Shanahan’s offense thrives on accuracy, quick decision-making, and the ability to execute under pressure—traits that Sanders has demonstrated consistently. His ability to read defenses and maintain poise in the pocket would make him a strong candidate to fit into Shanahan’s offense.
While Sanders is expected to be selected early in the draft, there’s always a chance he could fall, and if he does, the 49ers could have a rare opportunity to grab a potential franchise quarterback. If Sanders is still available at No. 11, expect San Francisco to strongly consider him, even if they already have Purdy in place for the time being.
