NFL Draft Twist: Saints Pass on Shedeur Sanders, Opening Door for Steelers
With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, intrigue is building around the future of Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders—and two franchises are at the center of the drama: the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
One thing is clear: Saints running back Alvin Kamara knows his team needs a quarterback. Following Derek Carr’s recent injury concerns, New Orleans fans have been buzzing about the possibility of the Saints drafting Sanders—a dynamic prospect and son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
The Saints hold the 9th overall pick, positioning them to land a top-tier talent. On paper, it’s a prime spot to grab a quarterback of Sanders’ caliber. But in a surprising twist, NFL analyst Todd McShay recently revealed on his YouTube channel that New Orleans is not expected to take Sanders at No. 9.
“New Orleans will not draft Shedeur Sanders at No. 9,” McShay reported.
Saints’ Decision Could Be Steelers’ Gain
This decision reshapes the quarterback outlook heading into draft night and suddenly makes Sanders a much more realistic target for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who own the 21st pick. With Russell Wilson gone, Pittsburgh is hunting for a long-term starter—and Sanders is high on their radar.
If teams with higher picks—like the Saints—opt to go in different directions (offensive line, defense, or even trading down), Sanders could begin to slide. That slide could put him squarely within striking distance of Pittsburgh, either by staying put at 21 or packaging assets to move up a few slots.
Is Shedeur Still a First-Round Lock?
It’s highly unlikely Sanders slips out of the first round entirely. His arm talent, athleticism, and leadership make him a compelling fit for a modern NFL offense. Despite New Orleans backing off, multiple quarterback-needy teams—including the Vikings, Raiders, and Broncos—could jump into the mix before Pittsburgh has a shot.
But if those teams have already locked in on other targets, the Steelers may end up with a golden opportunity. Pittsburgh has been aggressive about upgrading their offense this offseason and has made no secret of their desire to find a young QB to build around.
What This Means for Kamara and the Saints
As for Kamara and the Saints, this means they’ll either stick with Carr, explore a mid-round QB option, or surprise everyone with a trade. Either way, the Sanders dream appears to be fading in the Big Easy.
Until draft night, though, nothing is set in stone. And Shedeur Sanders’ landing spot remains one of the most fascinating questions in this year’s draft.
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