What NFL Teams Could Take a Chance on Shedeur Sanders?

The 2025 NFL Draft has been fun, with some notable trades and big-name prospects added to teams. The biggest story of the draft undoubtedly has been Shedeur Sanders.

The big-name quarterback has yet to be selected yet, and rumors are swirling on why he's still not yet been picked. I don't want to focus a ton on why he hasn't been selected, but instead want to focus on what teams might actually be willing to take a chance on Sanders between the fourth-seventh rounds.

For the latest player updates, be sure to head to FantasySP to utilize the real-time player news engine for all sports. The player news engine is the most robust and fastest player news system in fantasy sports. Signing up for a FantasySP membership can help you track all your fantasy players.

Why Hasn't Sanders Already Been Drafted?

Sanders was once viewed as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Cam Ward eventually became the clear favorite for the top pick, so many people expected Sanders to be taken second, or maybe third.

As the draft neared, there was speculation that Sanders could fall to No. 9, and then No. 21 was a real possibility. Most people didn't expect him to not be selected in the first round at all, and I'm not sure there was anyone who truly believed he wouldn't be selected in rounds two or three either. 

There's now been five quarterbacks taken going into day three of the draft, and Sanders somehow has not been one of them.

Teams could be bailing on him because they didn't believe he was a first-round talent, and now with most teams set at quarterback, nobody is willing to bring him in as a backup, especially because he's such a big name, and that kind of distraction could be detrimental to a team.

Most scouts had Sanders pegged as a starting NFL quarterback, and not many starting-caliber players are available in the fourth round of any draft. It's possible he goes undrafted and then gets to pick his NFL home, but it's also possible a team uses a day three draft pick on him.

Let's go over some teams with quarterback needs, or ones I think could add Sanders. Since it's so late in the draft, there will be some surprise teams on the list.

Jets Quarterback Situation

Sanders landing with the Jets still makes a lot of sense to me. I'm not a huge believer in Justin Fields in the long run, and drafting Sanders could give New York a backup plan if Fields flops.

Sanders is a player that loves to be in the spotlight, and the Jets have been known to take gambles like this. Drafting, or signing, Sanders, could be a way to really get the Jets' fans excited for what is likely to be another subpar season.

Steelers Quarterback Situation

Pittsburgh still doesn't have a starting quarterback, although I think Aaron Rodgers still ends up there. Drafting Sanders to learn behind Rodgers for a year makes quite a bit of sense.

Rodgers loves the drama too, so maybe he could help Sanders learn a thing or two - or maybe would just drive up the family's ego a bit more.

Mike Tomlin seems like a coach who could handle this kind of situation, so I still think this is one of Sanders' best landing spots, even if Rodgers is still the plan for starting QB in 2025.

Raiders Quarterback Situation

Sanders landing in Las Vegas is another real possibility in my eyes. Geno Smith just was traded there, and then he signed an extension, but Sanders could be the long-term starting QB option.

New coach Pete Carroll seems like another coach who could handle the publicity that adding Sanders to the roster would mean. It's definitely a big enough market, and the media would love having Sanders around.

Rams Quarterback Situation

The more I think about it, the more Sanders going to the Rams makes sense in my head. Matthew Stafford is likely nearing the end of his career, and every offseason, it seems the team is debating whether or not to keep him around.

Drafting Sanders as the backup for a year makes plenty of sense - he can learn behind Stafford, then take over the starting role if the veteran is ever hurt, or leaves in free agency or retires after the upcoming season.

I'm not sure if Sean McVay would love to take on a player like Sanders, but I think he's also capable of keeping things in line and not being overwhelmed by the situation.

Browns Quarterback Situation

I know the Browns drafted Dillon Gabriel, and have Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett as other options in 2025, but I don't think it's crazy to say Sanders could also end up there too.

Most have Sanders as the better quarterback than Gabriel, and you could argue he's also better than Flacco and Pickett at this moment too. Cleveland has already dealt with plenty of backlash for the whole Deshaun Watson scenario, and I think that's part of the reason why they skipped Sanders for Gabriel.

I think Kevin Stafanski could handle having Sanders around, even if he's not starting right away. I also wonder if Sanders even wants to play in Cleveland, and if that's playing a role in him not being taken yet.

Panthers Quarterback Situation

I don't think it's too crazy to expect Sanders to end up in Carolina either. Bryce Young is there, and has shown flashes of potential, but if he flames out in 2025, the team will be drafting another QB in 2026.

Why not add Sanders late in the draft or as an undrafted free agent? He could back up Young this season, take over for him if he struggles and then maybe be the QB of the future.

This seems a bit less likely to me because of the market and having a young head coach in Dave Canales leading the team. Having Sanders around could help Canales maybe stay around in the long run, so maybe he could be talked into adding Sanders.

Colts Quarterback Situation

Indy has Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, who are already supposed to be battling for the starting job, but many would argue Sanders is better than both quarterbacks.

I don't think it's a great fit for anyone though, and I'm not sure if Shane Steichen wants a third QB on the roster. Sanders has a decent chance of starting the season as the No. 1 QB there though, so I wouldn't rule this out completely.

Dolphins Quarterback Situation

Tua Tagovailoa is the unquestioned No. 1 QB in Miami, but he's also dealt with injuries. Drafting Sanders as a backup is an insurance plan in case Tua gets hurt again, and Sanders could eventually become a franchise QB there.

Mike McDaniel seems like a coach who could handle this buzz of adding Sanders, and it seems like a favorable landing spot. I don't think there's a great chance of it happening, but I think the chances are higher than 0%.

Jaguars Quarterback Situation

This is another semi far-fetched landing spot. Trevor Lawrence is the lead guy there, but he's failed to live up to expectations, and has dealt with injuries as well.

Bringing Sanders in as a backup could put a little pressure on Lawrence, and maybe bring out the best in him. If Lawrence fails to improve, or proves to be injury prone, then Sanders could take the reins, and possibly be throwing to old teammate Travis Hunter.

Lions Quarterback Situation

Another far-fetched idea, but crazier things have happened. Jared Goff has been great in Detroit, but the team has failed to get over the hump.

There's also no backup in Detroit who is proven to be serviceable yet, so Sanders could be an insurance plan if nothing else. The big thing working against Sanders and his ego in this one is head coach Dan Campbell - I just don't know if he'd want to take Sanders on.

Vikings Quarterback Situation

I've talked myself into this scenario as well. Sam Darnold is gone, and a recovering J.J. McCarthy is the presumed starter. Sanders could be brought in in case McCarthy isn't ready to go for 2025, and he could absolutely beat McCarthy out for the job if he's healthy too.

Coach Kevin O'Connell has shown he can work wonders with any QB, so this would be an ideal landing spot for Sanders' fantasy outlook to explode.

Saints Quarterback Situation

New Orleans took Tyler Shough, but if Derek Carr is really unavailable all of 2025, bringing in Sanders to compete with Shough and Spencer Rattler isn't that crazy of an idea.

I don't know how much a first-year head coach in Kellen Moore would love the idea though.

Final Thoughts

Now that I've mentioned several teams Sanders could go to, I'm sure he'll end up with someone I didn't mention.

Sanders will remain a talking point on the third and final day of the draft, and I'll be fascinated to see where he lands.

Check back with FantasySP in the coming days, weeks and months to hear our thoughts on the newest NFL players going into 2025!