Mel Kiper picks landing spot for Shedeur Sanders in 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is fast approach and ESPN analyst Mel Kiper is breaking down where he projects some of the top prospects to land. That includes Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Kiper has the Buffaloes gunslinger going in the top 10. Specifically, he sees Sanders selected by the New Orleans Saints at No. 9 overall.

“It makes perfect sense,” Kiper said in a SportsCenter Special on ESPN2 on Tuesday. “You’ve got a new coach in Kellen Moore, you’ve got a dome team. Keep in mind that’s where Drew Brees did all his damage, right, in that dome coming off, remember that shoulder injury, that’s why Miami went Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees. And it helped. And certainly with Shedeur Sanders, Atlanta’s a dome and you’ve got Carolina and Tampa, hopefully nice weather there.”

Whatever the rationale, Kiper was insistent that New Orleans is a strong potential landing spot for Shedeur Sanders. The franchise has needed a long-term answer at quarterback since Brees departed, and there are serious doubts about whether Derek Carr can be that guy.

Sanders had a tremendous career at Colorado, where he significantly elevated the program over the course of his two seasons. He had the Buffaloes on the brink of a Big 12 title game appearance last fall.

“Shedeur Sanders checks the boxes that are important,” Kiper said. “You talk about ability to hang tough in that pocket. Incredible toughness, ball placement, accuracy, precise passing. Has all that. He has the calm, poised demeanor. He’s great in the clutch, great in two-minute situations. When you need big plays, you need a drive, he can do it.”

That said, Shedeur Sanders might not fit all the common criteria for quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 picks. Specifically, his size is a concern. He’s a slender prospect.

“Shedeur Sanders, yes, he’s not 6-4, yes he doesn’t run a 4.6 40, yes he can’t throw the football through the side of a mountain,” Kiper explained. “So some teams may not like that in a top-10 pick. I think the Saints at nine, he’ll be more palatable, because he’s at five on my board. That’s what you want. If you’re picking nine you want somebody inside of nine on your board. You don’t want to go nine down to 16, as Matt (Miller) suggested, and reach for anybody.

“Shedeur at this spot would still be a reach for some, not for me and I think the Saints would be the ideal fit. New coach, hand pick your quarterback.”