"Experts Predict Shedeur Sanders' Potential Drop in Draft Rankings - Bookmakers Assessing Extent"
Shedeur Sanders' position as the most divisive player in the 2025 NFL Draft class is firmly established as the countdown to Thursday's first round continues.
It's not just analysts, talk show hosts, and fans who have varying opinions of the former Colorado quarterback. Oddsmakers have been constantly adjusting their markets related to Sanders during the pre-draft season as well.
Once predicted by many to compete with fellow quarterback Cam Ward for the top overall pick, Sanders now has an Over/Under selection spot of 8.5 at DraftKings. The public has overwhelmingly backed Sanders, with 76 percent of the money on him being selected before the ninth pick on Thursday, while 57 percent of total bets have him going even later.
Sanders is widely considered the second-best prospect in a somewhat lackluster quarterback class. With Ward expected to go first overall to Tennessee, Sanders' former Colorado teammate Travis Hunter is also in the mix, along with Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter.
New England and Jacksonville, who hold the fourth and fifth overall picks, already have their franchise quarterbacks. This leaves Las Vegas at No. 6 and the New York Jets as the first potential landing spots for Sanders. The Carolina Panthers at No. 8 still have 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, while the New Orleans Saints may be hoping Sanders falls to No. 9 with Derek Carr's future uncertain due to a shoulder injury.
If Sanders falls beyond the Saints, his drop could become the story of the first round, with the next four teams all set at quarterback in Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Miami.
BetMGM is offering Sanders as a +2200 longshot to go second overall, followed by +700 odds that he will go third. The book is also offering +2200 odds that Sanders will be selected with the eighth pick, with his shortest odds being +500 to go ninth, where the Saints currently sit.
SportsBetting.ag is offering odds on all 32 teams selecting Sanders, regardless of position. The shortest odds belong to Cleveland. While the Browns are not expected to select Sanders at No. 2, they have reportedly been receiving calls from teams interested in moving up.
A trade could see Cleveland slide down a few spots into a position where the front office may be more comfortable selecting Sanders. With Deshaun Watson out with a second torn Achilles, the current quarterback depth chart includes former Pittsburgh first-round pick Kenny Pickett and veteran Joe Flacco.
SHEDEUR SANDERS TEAM ODDS*
Cleveland Browns (+200)
Pittsburgh Steelers (+250)
New Orleans Saints (+300)
New York Giants (+350)
Las Vegas Raiders (+750)
Los Angeles Rams (+1200)
New York Jets (+2000)
Miami Dolphins (+2800)
Seattle Seahawks (+3300)
Dallas Cowboys (+3300)
Indianapolis Colts (+5000)
San Francisco 49ers (+7500)
Tennessee Titans (+10000)
Minnesota Vikings (+10000)
Detroit Lions (+10000)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+10000)
Carolina Panthers (+10000)
Arizona Cardinals (+10000)
Remaining 14 Teams (+15000 Each)
*Odds from SportsBetting.ag provided for entertainment purposes only.
Sanders' pre-draft journey has been filled with speculation, and he will not be present for Thursday's first round in Green Bay, along with other top prospects.
Sanders chose not to participate in workouts at the Big 12 Conference's inaugural Pro Day last month, although he was in attendance at the event in Frisco, Texas, showcasing the top NFL prospects in the Big 12. He told NFL Network (broadcasting the event) that he is not letting critics get to him.
"It's a lot of critics, it's a lot of hate," Sanders said. "But we know what to do. We know how to handle that in every way, so we remain happy."
Sanders instead chose to work out at Colorado's "CU Football Showcase" on April 4. He spoke about his approach and the NFL draft process in general.
