‘Modest’ Shedeur Sanders leaving different impression with teams after controversial start to NFL draft process

Shedeur Sanders may be the biggest name and most interesting prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he’s far from a shoo-in for a top pick.

The uncertainty isn’t for a lack of effort on Sanders’ end, though, as the polarizing son of Deion Sanders has actually built better personal credibility for himself as of late.

Sports Illustrated’s NFL Insider Albert Breer reported that Sanders has “been more modest the past couple weeks with teams” after initially NFL clubs suspected he was “trying to steer his way to certain destinations.”

The Giants have been in on the former Colorado quarterback the whole way and could take him with the No. 3 pick.

But if he’s not taken there, Sanders could wind up in a free fall to as deep as the second round.

“I’ve heard [the Giants] had ups and downs with Sanders,” Breer said. “If Sanders gets past the Giants, I’m not sure what happens next.”

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It’s widely expected that Cam Ward goes No.1 overall to the Tennessee Titans and many project Sanders as the next top quarterback prospect.

But after the Titans and outside of the Giants, Saints and Steelers, the market for a quarterback in the first round isn’t robust.

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“I would be pretty surprised if the New Orleans Saints took him at No. 9,” Breer added. “After that, maybe it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers at 21. If the Steelers pass, he could fall out of the first round all together.”

The question seemingly for the Giants is whether or not they’ll go for their biggest positional need and take Sanders or if they’d prefer to take whoever they feel is the best player available.

Should they take a non-quarterback like Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick, the Giants could then look to trade back into the first round or maybe hope Sanders falls to them at No. 34.

A swing for the fences with a polarizing prospect like Sanders may be the path to redemption for the Giants’ coaching staff and front office — or it could be the final straw.

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The Giants have done their due diligence with Sanders through the whole process, including a recent private workout, so the decision could already be a done deal behind closed doors.

“They have, indeed, done a boatload of work on Sanders over the past couple years, largely as part of a massive effort to turn over every rock at the most important position on the field through that time,” Breer reported. “They had him in for a 30 visit in East Rutherford, and had dinners with him in Colorado before his pro day and his private workout last week.”