The NFL combine has come and gone. While some prospects have improved their draft stock, others have seen theirs dip.
For Shedeur Sanders, it’s been a bit of both. The Colorado Buffaloes quarterback is projected to climb as high as No. 1 or fall as low as the bottom of the first round, according to draft analysts.
Here’s a look at where national draftniks think Sanders will land in the draft.
Bleacher Report | Staff | Updated March 4
No. 1 to the Giants (trade with Titans): “The Tennessee Titans trade the No. 1 overall pick to the New York Giants for this year’s third overall selection, a third-round pick and a 2026 first-round choice.
“The New York Giants have emerged as a serious trade-up candidate because of their need at quarterback while sitting directly behind two other quarterback-needy teams in the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns. If the Titans aren’t sold on anyone in particular, as is the case here, the Giants use that as an opportunity to jump ahead of the Browns and get their preferred signal-caller, which may come as a surprise.” See the full mock draft.
ESPN | Jordan Reid | Updated March 4
No. 2 to the Browns: “With the Browns facing a lot of pressure to win next season, both internally and externally, they must figure out a long-term solution at quarterback to dig themselves out of the rubble of the failed Deshaun Watson trade. Sanders is a picture-perfect fit as a polished pocket passer with toughness and excellent ball placement — traits of quarterbacks who have excelled in Kevin Stefanski’s scheme. Sanders has been in the spotlight his entire life and would welcome the challenge of boosting the Browns’ last-place scoring offense.” See the full mock draft.
Fox Sports | Jason McIntyre | Updated Feb. 28
No. 2 to the Browns: “Just stop with the idea of him tumbling down the draft board. It’s not going to happen. If you see another mock draft with Shedeur outside the top three, just know that they will bump him up there as we get closer to the draft. ” See the full mock draft.
SB Nation | Joseph Acosta | Updated March 3
No. 3 to the Giants: “The Giants are reportedly in on the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, after missing out on Matthew Stafford. However, bringing in a 41-year old QB shouldn’t push them away from drafting a QB early (and I don’t even know if they bring in Rodgers in the first place). Sanders is being the victim of some prospect fatigue, but I think he can be a very good NFL QB.” See the full mock draft.
USA Today | Tyler Dragon | Updated March 3
No. 3 to the Giants: “Giants GM Joe Schoen said the team has to address the quarterback position somewhere. Sanders’ DNA makes him uniquely qualified to handle the bright lights of New York.” See the full mock draft.
Yahoo! Sports | Nate Tice and Charles McDonald | Updated March 3
No. 4 to the Raiders (trade with Patriots): “Although Sanders’ standing as QB2 is still up for grabs, the Raiders decide to get their guy of the future. A vet QB may still be an option, but the Raiders decided no more half-measures at the position and get themselves a player to commit to under a new regime.” See the full mock draft.
CBS Sports | Ryan Wilson | Updated March 4
No. 6 to the Raiders: “Good luck finding someone tougher than Shedeur Sanders. He’ll stand in the pocket and take a hit (after hit after hit) to make a play downfield. He’s not the athlete and doesn’t have the arm strength of Cam Ward, but he does a lot of things really well. I would like to see him play on time more consistently, but part of that had to do with Colorado’s inconsistent offensive line.” See the full mock draft.
Sporting News | Vinnie Iyer | Updated March 3
No. 6 to the Raiders: “The Raiders won’t be getting Matthew Stafford, and after the past two seasons of the Aidan O’Connell-Jimmy Garoppolo-Gardner Minshew mess, they shouldn’t be going after another fading veteran bridge, anyway. Shedeur in Las Vegas comes full circle, and his lack of NFL Combine workout won’t cause him to slip too much given the supply and demand at QB.” See the full mock draft.
The Athletic | Dane Brugler | Updated March 4
No. 21 to the Steelers: “Sanders is going to be a wild card in this draft. He could go in the top six or fall out of the first round entirely — and neither outcome would be a shock.
“He is not a first-round quarterback for a lot of NFL teams, which isn’t a major surprise (and matches my evaluation). But all it takes is one front office to roll the dice on his skill set. If Sanders falls out of the top 10, this would be an interesting landing spot. The Steelers are searching for answers at the QB position.” See the full mock draft.
NFL.com | Lance Zierlein | Updated March 3
No. 29 to the Browns (trade with Commanders): “Sanders’ slide is over, as the Browns flip their No. 33 overall pick and an additional selection to the Commanders in order to take a swing at a QB of the future.” See the full mock draft.
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