The 2025 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and major sports outlets like ESPN and Yahoo! Sports are releasing their final mock drafts. In their latest projections, ESPN and Yahoo align on four of the top six picks. However, their differing predictions for Shedeur Sanders have ignited significant debate regarding his draft position.
Sanders is widely considered the second-best quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft class, behind only Cam Ward, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. However, one mock draft places Sanders at No. 9 overall, while the other has him falling to No. 21.
Shedeur Sanders Sparks Debate as ESPN and Yahoo Split on Draft Landing Spot
The most significant discrepancy between ESPN and Yahoo’s mock drafts lies in the predicted landing spot for Shedeur Sanders. While both agree that Sanders is the clear second-best quarterback in the draft after Ward, their projections differ considerably, with ESPN placing him at No. 9 overall and Yahoo! Sports suggesting he could slide to No. 21.
ESPN’s mock draft has the New Orleans Saints selecting Sanders at No. 9. This scenario appears plausible, as the Saints are undoubtedly in the market for a quarterback in this draft class. Although Derek Carr is under contract with the Saints for another season, this shouldn’t deter them from drafting Sanders if the opportunity arises.
Yahoo’s projection for Sanders is somewhat more surprising. Yahoo! Sports predicts Sanders falling to No. 21 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are in dire need of a quarterback as they await Aaron Rodgers’ decision.
The Steelers currently have Mason Rudolph and Skyler Thompson under contract for the 2025 NFL season. However, neither is considered a starting-caliber quarterback, making Sanders to the Steelers a long shot in the eyes of many.
Both ESPN and Yahoo predict Ward going first overall to Tennessee. This is an intriguing pick for the Titans, who already have a young quarterback in Will Levis. However, with a talent like Ward potentially available, he might be too good for the Titans to pass up.
ESPN and Yahoo also concur on the No. 2 overall pick, with both projecting Travis Hunter to the Cleveland Browns. Hunter could provide a significant presence at wide receiver, potentially helping Cleveland contend for a playoff spot. The Browns could certainly use a receiver of Hunter’s caliber, as their current receiving corps primarily consists of Jeudy and David Njoku.
However, their projections diverge, starting at No. 3 overall. ESPN has outside linebacker Abdul Carter going to the New York Giants, while Yahoo predicts the Giants will select offensive tackle Armand Membou. Their differences continue at No. 4 overall regarding the New England Patriots’ selection.
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According to ESPN, the Patriots are expected to draft an offensive tackle. However, Yahoo! Sports projects the Patriots taking Carter at the No. 4 spot. Both Yahoo and ESPN agree on the No. 5 and No. 6 picks, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders selecting Mason Graham and Ashton Jeanty, respectively.
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