Assuming certain reporters and analysts are correct, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders could slide into the 20s of the 2025 NFL Draft order or even the second round. Such a scenario would involve the New Orleans Saints, a team routinely linked with Sanders this spring, passing on making the polarizing prospect the draft's ninth pick. 

For a mock draft shared by ESPN's Matt Miller on Thursday, an anonymous AFC West scout explained why the Saints should select Texas A&M pass-rusher Shemar Stewart over Sanders at choice No. 9. 

"I thought about quarterback here, but there's no one in this draft that I love," that scout said. "There isn't that conviction to spend a top-10 pick on a guy when [the Saints] roster has so many holes."

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently revealed that he has had "a really hard time finding coaches or scouts who believe Sanders is a first-round talent" and has found that a "majority of the league doesn’t see" Sanders as a first-rounder. While New Orleans starter Derek Carr may not play during the upcoming season because of a shoulder injury, the Saints reportedly could target a project for the future, such as Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, later in the draft. 

Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand and Dane Brugler of The Athletic are among those who think Dart could fall to the second round unless a team such as the Saints trades back into the first round for his services. 

New Orleans could also complete such a transaction to grab Sanders if the Pittsburgh Steelers don't select him with the draft's 21st pick. As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Saints as the betting favorites at +125 odds to select Sanders. 

"Stewart has the highest upside of any defender in the class," the previously mentioned scout continued. "Even with the Carr injury situation, we believe reaching for a quarterback would be a mistake given where they rank on our board."

While listing Stewart as the 19th-best prospect available in the 2025 draft, ESPN's Field Yates referred to the edge-rusher as "the most fascinating player in the class." 

"While he had just 4.5 college sacks (exactly 1.5 in each of his three seasons)," Yates added about Stewart, "his physical profile is off the charts. Stewart's acceleration, length and power popped on tape and then really popped at the combine. He ran a 4.59 in the 40 and had a 40-inch vertical leap, showcasing his explosion. Drafting Stewart early is a bet on his potential."

It certainly seems like multiple teams think Stewart and other players have more potential than Sanders at this stage of the draft process. 

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