With the Las Vegas Raiders sitting at 2-7 and having recently dismissed a significant portion of their offensive coaching staff, it’s not too soon for the team to focus on the 2025 offseason. The Raiders are in dire need of a quarterback and should have an opportunity to draft one early.
Despite currently being tied for the league’s worst record, they would only hold the sixth overall pick due to strength of schedule, according to Tankathon. However, some hope remains for the Raiders if Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders continues to make his case as a top quarterback prospect.
If the Raiders hold the sixth pick, it may be challenging for them to land Sanders unless he slides down the draft board. Notably, Sanders’ father, Deion, indicated during a March interview with Barstool Sports that he wouldn’t rule out his son using a strategy similar to Eli Manning’s, who refused to play for the Chargers after being selected first overall in 2004, leading to a trade with the Giants.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. believes that, if Sanders were to take such a step, it could be to force a move to the Raiders. On the November 6 episode of “Unsportsmanlike,” Kiper said, “It would be Las Vegas… [Tom] Brady and him have that thing going. He kinda has that Brady feel—pocket passer, precise.”
Would Shedeur Sanders Actually Refuse to Play for Certain Teams?
Shedeur Sanders is in a unique position where financial concerns aren’t a driving factor in his NFL decision-making. With a wealthy family background and substantial earnings from NIL deals during college, he has the flexibility to potentially refuse to play for certain teams if he so chooses.
Currently, the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers hold picks ahead of the Raiders, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Sanders family were uninterested in those destinations. While the Raiders may not boast a significantly stronger track record, their Las Vegas location offers an appealing market and lifestyle for a young, dynamic player. Additionally, with Tom Brady recently acquiring a stake in the team and maintaining a relationship with Sanders, there is an added level of intrigue and potential draw for the quarterback to consider the Raiders.
Is Sanders the Right Fit for Raiders?
While there’s considerable buzz about Shedeur Sanders potentially landing with the Raiders, the decision could ultimately rest with general manager Tom Telesco, whose stance on the quarterback remains uncertain.
Sanders has shown impressive talent, but if he had declared for last year’s draft, he might have been the third or fourth quarterback taken. Owner Mark Davis is reportedly a fan, which could have a significant influence on any potential moves.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. recently elaborated on why he sees Sanders as a great fit for Las Vegas. In an October 28 column, Kiper highlighted similarities between Sanders and Tom Brady, emphasizing Sanders’ accuracy, pocket toughness, and strong decision-making. Kiper noted, “Brady was super accurate, tough and excellent in the pocket during his playing career — which sounds a lot like the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Sanders. The senior’s 73.3% completion rate ranks fourth in the country, and his 82.3 QBR from inside the pocket is 15th.”
Kiper sees Sanders as an ideal option for a Raiders team desperate for a young, long-term starter. Following a disappointing season with mediocre performances from Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas may be ready to invest in a high-upside quarterback for the future.
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