No one saw this coming. Just months ago, Shedeur Sanders was projected as a first-round NFL Draft pick — a headline-maker with superstar pedigree and the swagger to match. But in a stunning twist, the former Colorado star fell all the way to the fifth round, landing with the Cleveland Browns as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart. Now, whispers are turning into shouts: could the New Orleans Saints — a team in desperate need of a quarterback spark — make a bold move and trade for Sanders before the season even begins? One thing is clear: this preseason could change everything.
The recent NFL Draft will go down as one of the most controversial in history, due to a player who, perhaps not since Johnny Manziel, had all the spotlight on him-Shedeur Sanders. Even before the draft, Sanders was making headlines and was projected to be selected in the first round.
In the quarterback battle, Cam Ward ultimately came out on top, but Sanders was the next favorite to be taken. However, something strange happened, and he ended up falling all the way to the fifth round, where the Cleveland Browns finally selected him. In fact, five quarterbacks were taken before Shedeur Sanders.
In the first round, Jaxson Dart was also selected by the New York Giants. So, Sanders was expecting to go in the second round, but the surprise was that the New Orleans Saints chose Tyler Shough-a quarterback who was never really in the conversation among the most talented of the class (Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders).
The Saints are linked to a trade for Shedeur Sanders
Despite Sanders’ talent and how well he has looked during the Cleveland Browns’ training camp, it appears he will have a hard time finding a spot on the roster-he’s the fourth option in the team’s quarterback competition. That means the preseason games will be his only real chance to prove himself.
On a podcast, former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel floated a possibility for Sanders: have a great preseason and put himself on a silver platter for the New Orleans Saints, who are in need of a quarterback.
“If he goes out and does something like he did today-nine for nine, two touchdowns-there are 32 teams watching,” said Samuel. “Oh man, this might be the first time in history that something bizarre happens, where a team tries to trade for him, like the Indianapolis Colts or the New Orleans Saints.”
It could be a great opportunity for Shedeur Sanders, but if he has a successful preseason, the Cleveland Browns might want to keep him and give him a shot in the regular season-though that still seems unlikely.
