NFC South team ready to compete with the Giants for Shedeur Sanders

While the Giants appear set to draft Shedeur Sanders at No. 3, their NFC rivals, the Saints, are quietly emerging as strong contenders to steal the Colorado QB.

NFC South team ready to compete with the Giants for Shedeur Sanders

The New Orleans Saints may draft Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

Shedeur Sanders is a top 5 quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft. Several mock drafts and analysts project the New York Giants snagging the ex-Colorado quarterback. However, the NFC team might face stiff competition from one of their rivals.

The New Orleans Saints are slowly emerging as a team to keep an eye on. After finishing 5-12 in 2024, the NFC South team ended up with the 9th overall pick.

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Draft Network’s COO Jaime Esner shared an interesting take on X. Esner reported that the Saints drafting Shedeur Sanders is catching steam among the bettors. As per the FanDuel sportsbook, the Saints might aggressively chase Sanders.

Sportsbooks are starting to lean toward Shedeur Sanders—Saints being a strong possibility. Saints are now the favorite to draft Shedeur Sanders on FanDuel and his draft position O/U is set at 8.5.

Jaime Esner tweeted

Can the Saints even draft Shedeur Sanders?

Derek Carr started ten games for the Saints in 2024 before suffering a concussion. Fourth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler took over for the rest of the season but didn’t win a single game.

Shedeur Sanders Draft Update: NFC South team ready to compete with the Giants for ex-Colorado QB
Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

Carr is on a four-year contract worth $150 million, which will end in 2027. He isn’t getting any younger, and the older he gets, the more prone to injuries the Pro Bowler will be.

Rattler may not be the answer new head coach Kellen Moore is looking for. So, drafting a quarterback of the future makes sense.

The Saints pick at ninth, and by that time Sanders may be off the board. The Browns, Giants, and Raiders are the teams to fight for him at the top of the charts. However, the 23-year-old’s stock has taken a dent in the past few months.

If NFL teams buy into that idea, then Sanders will stick around far longer than initially projected. This will allow teams such as the Saints to take a shot.

Moore can either make Sanders sit on the bench for a year and learn the playbook before phasing out Carr a year before his contract runs out. Former Saints QB Chase Daniel is on board with letting Sanders sit behind Carr.

If you go to the Saints, and you sit behind Carr for a year and Kellen Moore’s the head coach—I think that’s the best situation for Shedeur. Like, to not rush him.

Chase Daniel said in an episode of FS1’s The Facility

That route has the biggest upside, but if they want Sanders to start from Day 1, then trading Carr is another option. However, finding a trade partner for a 34-year-old is easier said than done.

Most NFL teams have their starting quarterback locked, besides the Titans and Browns. In this scenario, the best course of action is to trade places in the draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have the fifth overall pick and aren’t a team looking for a rookie quarterback because they have Trevor Lawrence. Trade up to the fifth and draft Shedeur Sanders. In return, the Jaguars bag the ninth.

Moore wasn’t present during Colorado’s Pro Day, but Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein revealed the Saints sent their quarterback and wide receiver and coaches.

Some teams just sent a scout or scouts to Colorado Pro Day. But the Saints have 2 coaches scheduled to be there today, per source. QB coach Scott Tolzien and WR coach Keith Williams are scheduled to get live looks at QB Shedeur Sanders & WR/DB Travis Hunter.

Jori Epstein tweeted

The Saints need to be wary of the Giants

Sanders only becomes a viable option for the Saints if the Giants pass on him. The NFC East team signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston but still could draft Sanders.

Wilson and Winston will most likely stick around for two years at most. By then, Sanders would have understood Brian Daboll’s playbook.

Moreover, Sanders wants to stay a top 5 pick rather than dropping down the pack. With the Titans likely selecting Miami’s Cam Ward and the Browns, either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter, Sanders is locked for the Giants. Yet anything can happen in the draft. His father/coach/NFL HOF Deion Sanders is on board with whichever team drafts his team. So, playing for the Saints is an option.

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