This wasn't how things were supposed to play out for Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft -- not by the estimation of the media, Sanders' family or the quarterback himself.
But as the third and final day of the draft is set to play out on Saturday, April 26, the Colorado product remains available.
Several of the teams thought to be good fits for Sanders have already selected rookie QBs. The New York Giants landed Jaxson Dart late in Round 1, the New Orleans Saints took Tyler Shough early in Round 2 and the Cleveland Browns raised more than a few eyebrows by claiming Dillon Gabriel near the end of Round 3. The Tennessee Titans also took Cam Ward No. 1 overall, while the Seattle Seahawks drafted Jalen Milroe late Friday.
So which teams are left that might want to take a swing on Sanders in Round 4, or possibly even later?
Former Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders.
Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers have already passed on him twice and continue to believe Aaron Rodgers will eventually agree to be their starter in 2025 -- but still, that franchise remains a possible landing spot. The Los Angeles Rams, who some analysts thought might draft a QB late in Round 1, could also use a backup plan for veteran Matthew Stafford two or three years from now -- so they also remain a possibility.
Paul Kasabian of Bleacher Report mentioned both teams on April 25 when dissecting what uniform Sanders might eventually wear. However, he also brought up a blast from the relatively recent past, naming the Las Vegas Raiders as a third option.
The Raiders traded a third-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for QB Geno Smith earlier this offseason and then inked him to a $75 million extension.
"Smith takes care of the team's QB problems in the short-term, but long-term, Las Vegas needs some answers," Kasabian wrote. "Perhaps Sanders could be the pick, but Las Vegas has already passed on him five times. ... One can surmise that if the Raiders wanted Sanders, he'd be part of the Silver and Black by now, especially considering that the team had back-to-back picks in the back end of Round 3 and passed on him."
That said, Las Vegas holds two fourth-round selections. The team, which flirted rather publicly with Sanders during draft season, can also move on from Smith two years from now at no cost, which renders Sanders a viable future for the Raiders at the QB position -- at least hypothetically.
