Despite the needs at quarterback at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders continues to fall in first-round projections.
The first three teams in the draft order – Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants – need to address the position in one way or another.
Veteran options like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson remain in free agency, while Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward are arguably the top passers in the draft class.
Ward (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) led the nation in touchdown passes (39) and finished second nationally in passing yards (4,313) to seven interceptions, earning Heisman Trophy finalist honors.
Sanders wasn't far off, as the 6-foot-1.5, 212-pound passer led the nation in completion percentage (74%) while throwing for 4,134 yards (4th nationally) with 37 touchdowns (2nd) to 10 interceptions.
According to a new mock draft from Athlon Sports, Luke Easterling projects Ward as the No. 1 overall pick to the Titans. And, despite the option for the Browns and Giants to take a chance on Sanders, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year is projected to land outside of the top-20 picks.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders at the NFL combine Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Easterling projects Sanders to be taken at No. 21 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, which lost Justin Fields to the New York Jets in free agency. Additionally, Wilson could take a similar path.
"The fall finally stops for Sanders, who is arguably the biggest wild-card in this year's draft," Easterling wrote. "Even if the Steelers sign a veteran bridge quarterback in free agency, making Sanders their long-term plan would be a no-brainer here."
Previously believed to be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick, Sanders' stock has dropped off a bit following a report from insider Josina Anderson, in which an NFL quarterbacks coach called Sanders "brash" and "arrogant" after interviewing him at the combine.
Sanders, though, isn't buying into his stock supposedly falling.
"Well, everybody trying to make my stock drop right now, so who knows," Sanders responded . "You know how life gets, but it is what it is. It's fool's gold. It ain't real. Don't believe media."
Sanders is scheduled to participate in Big 12 Pro Days (March 18-21) before the 2025 NFL Draft is held from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 4:41 PM.