Shedeur Sanders is widely considered one of the two best quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with Miami’s Cam Ward. As every year, several teams are in serious need of a quarterback, including some of the first teams picking, such as the Tennessee Titans (No. 1), Cleveland Browns (No. 2), New York Giants (No. 3) and Las Vegas Raiders (No.6). That’s why it wouldn’t be surprising if Sanders and Ward went to any combination of these teams. However, in a mock draft by Eric Edholm of NFL.com, he predicts that the Raiders will pass up on Sanders and instead draft Boise State running back and Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty, leaving the New York Jets with Sanders at No. 7. It’s an interesting selection for the Raiders because even though it’s not a potential franchise quarterback, their rushing attack in 2024 was equally as bad as the passing game.
The team’s leading rusher was fellow running back Alexander Mattison, who, on 132 carries, accumulated just 420 yards and four touchdowns. That led them to rank 32nd in rushing yards per game (79.8) in 2024, which is something Jeanty could immediately come in and potentially fix. For Sanders, it may not have been the team many expected, but he still finds himself in New York, and if the Jets decide to keep Aaron Rodgers for one more year and he doesn’t retire, a year backing up a four-time MVP could be great for development. If that’s not the case with Rodgers, though, Sanders could immediately slot in and be the team’s starter moving forward.