SPORTS
The Draft Drama: Shedeur Sanders' Unpredictable Journey
USA, PittsburghThu Apr 24 2025
In the world of NFL drafts, betting odds can give a hint about where players might land, but they're not foolproof. They add a layer of excitement and speculation, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. One name that's been buzzing is Shedeur Sanders. The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently the favorites to pick him, with the 21st overall pick. This is a shift from earlier predictions, where the New Orleans Saints were in the lead. Now, the Saints have dropped to 12-1 odds, behind another quarterback, Jaxson Dart.
The Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants are also in the mix, with +215 and +225 odds, respectively. It's hard to see either team picking Sanders at their current spots, the second and third overall picks. But in the NFL, anything can happen. The Giants have a interesting history with Sanders. Former assistant and current Nebraska head coach, Matt Rhule, has publicly stated he'd pick Sanders at No. 3. This could sway Giants co-owner John Mara, who was once interested in hiring Rhule. But will it?
There's also the possibility of a team lying in wait, ready to trade up for Sanders. This could be driven by an owner eyeing a bigger plan, like eventually hiring Deion Sanders as the head coach. Deion has said he'd only coach in the NFL if he was coaching his son. This could explain why there's been so much anonymous criticism of Shedeur leading up to the draft. Coaching staffs might be trying to knock Shedeur to avoid losing their jobs to Deion.
But there's another angle to consider. An owner might see the financial benefit of having a team that's instantly more interesting and profitable with Deion as the head coach. This owner could be waiting for the right moment to make a move for Shedeur. It's a wrinkle that adds to the unpredictability of the draft. Will an owner see drafting Shedeur as the first step in a father-son package deal? Only time will tell. It could spark a surprise even bigger than last year's decision by the Falcons to pick Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall selection.
The NFL draft is always full of surprises, and this year's draft is shaping up to be no different. With Shedeur Sanders in the mix, it's anyone's guess where he'll end up. But one thing is for sure, the betting odds are just one piece of the puzzle. The real drama unfolds on draft day.
continue reading...
questions
How significant is the influence of former coaches like Matt Rhule on team decisions?
How might the presence of Deion Sanders as a potential future coach affect the dynamics of the team?
How do the betting odds for Shedeur Sanders reflect the actual likelihood of his draft position?