Mel Kiper Jr. reveals why New York Jets would be 'perfect' fit for Shedeur Sanders in 2025 NFL Draft

After a standout career at Jackson State and Colorado, Shedeur Sanders is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Where he goes off the board will be worth watching in Green Bay – and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had a surprising landing spot in his Mock Draft 2.0 on Tuesday.

Kiper projected Sanders to go No. 7 overall to the New York Jets in his updated mock. A popular landing spot has been at No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders, who Kiper had selecting former Boise State star Ashton Jeanty and signing quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency.

The Jets, however, present a “perfect” fit for Sanders if he falls to No. 7, according to Kiper. The idea of being in the New York market and living up to high expectations is something the son of Deion Sanders knows well, and it would hopefully help him become the Jets’ long-awaited quarterback of the future.

“Shedeur in New York with the Jets, to me, is perfect,” Kiper said Tuesday on NFL Live. “He’s used to the bright lights. He’s going to come in there, he’s not going to be intimidated by it. He had to deal with all the expectations at Colorado, his father, Deion. He’s been around this pressure-packed environment basically his whole life. He knows I love Shedeur. He’s my QB1.

“So you put him with the Jets, with Josh Allen and Tua [Tagovailoa] in that division, are you kidding me? And now, Drake Maye coming along. I really like the pick. If he’s there, I think you’ve got to take Shedeur Sanders, if you’re the Jets.”

Raiders could still be in play for Shedeur Sanders

Sanders was the most accurate quarterback in college football this past season while helping lead Colorado’s turnaround. He completed 74% of his passes while totaling 4,134 yards and 37 passing touchdowns, along with 10 interceptions.

Along with Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders is considered a top quarterback prospect this year. But although he has the Jets taking the former Colorado standout, Kiper pointed out the Raiders could end up selecting Sanders if they miss out on Darnold. Las Vegas has its options under new head coach Pete Carroll.

“The Raiders, I have looking at Sam Darnold,” Kiper said. “So that’s going to be an option for these teams, as well. That could push Shedeur, maybe, down to the Jets. That’s what I had them doing. The Raiders could also take Shedeur if they don’t get Darnold. That could be a possibility, the Jets trade ahead of the Raiders. The Raiders may have to move up to get Shedeur.”

Sanders will not throw at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported, and will instead work out at Colorado’s pro day. However, he is still in Indianapolis doing interviews throughout the week as he looks to make a case to be the top quarterback off the board.