2025 NFL Draft: Adam Schefter reveals 'sense' is Shedeur Sanders falls out of Top 3

Throughout the pre-draft process, Shedeur Sanders has been seen as the No. 2 quarterback in the class behind Cam Ward. With the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants in the Top 3 picks, the sense was one of them could take the former Colorado star.

However, there appears to be a big shift. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the “sense” is Sanders falls out of the top three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Speaking from the NFL league meetings in Palm Beach, Schefter said it’s seeming more likely neither the Browns nor the Giants select Sanders after signing veterans in free agency. While things can change, as is always the case with the draft, that’s where things stand with just over three weeks until Draft Day.

“Right now, Greeny – just under a month away from the NFL Draft – it sounds increasingly unlikely that Shedeur Sanders would wind up going 2 or 3,” Schefer said on ESPN’s NFL Draft Countdown. “That is where it would get interesting. The story of the draft then would become, where is Shedeur Sanders going to go?

“Now, I still think the Cleveland Browns are still talking about whether or not they would take Shedeur Sanders. The New York Giants are still talking about whether or not they would take Shedeur Sanders. And it’s always possible that one of these organizations can have a change in philosophy and a shift in their thinking, and come around to Shedeur. But the way that I’m reading it right now is that he doesn’t figure to be either team’s pick right now through the tea leaves.”

Why Giants, Browns could opt for ‘blue chips’

The Browns made a trade for former Eagles and Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett to add to their quarterback room, and they also made a run at Russell Wilson. He, of course, eventually signed with the Giants shortly after the franchise brought in Jameis Winston.

Still, New York could still be in the market for a quarterback to develop, Schefter previously said. That’s where Shedeur Sanders came in as an option.

As a senior at Colorado this past season, Sanders led the nation with a 74% completion percentage. He also totaled 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, along with just 10 interceptions on 477 pass attempts.

Sanders and Ward likely the top two quarterbacks in this year’s draft, and the chatter is getting louder about Ward’s chances of going No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. Pass rusher Abdul Carter and two-way star Travis Hunter are also viewed among the top talents in the class, which is why Schefter said Cleveland and New York could opt for those two prospects rather than Sanders.

“Again, we’ll see if that turns out to be right,” Schefter said. “The Browns trade for Kenny Pickett, the Giants sign Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. And with the blue-chip talents that are looking like they’ll be available here – Abdul Carter from Penn State, Travis Hunter from Colorado – right now, my sense, not a report, but my sense is it would be a non-quarterback at 2, a non-quarterback at 3. And then, we would be off and running on draft night wondering and speculating about where Shedeur Sanders might go in this NFL Draft.”