Giants predicted to pass on Shedeur Sanders in bombshell draft trade with Raiders

The Raiders pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks for Geno Smith, and the Giants landed Russell Wilson in free agency. However, neither player is seen as a locked-in long-term solution at their respective ages, which could leave both squads eyeing a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Giants could have a crack at Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders with the No. 3 overall pick, assuming he doesn’t come off the board at No. 2 to the Cleveland Browns. But, if the Giants pass on Sanders, the Raiders could spring for the Colorado product at No. 6 overall.

In a recent all-trade mock draft from Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame, he has the Giants and Raiders pulling off a huge trade that gives the Raiders the No. 3 pick, which they use on Sanders. Here’s the terms of the deal.

• Giants receive: Pick Nos. 6 and 68 (third round)
• Raiders receive: Pick No. 3 (Shedeur Sanders)

With Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson in tow for 2025, Giants general manager Joe Schoen trades back three spots with the Raiders, who move up for their long-term answer under center. While Las Vegas gave Geno Smith an extension, Smith is the perfect player for Sanders to sit behind for a year and learn before eventually taking over.

With their newly-found No. 6 pick, the Giants decide to beef up the weapons for their new quarterback by drafting Penn State tight end, Tyler Warren. Here’s Verderame’s thoughts on that pick.

If the Giants move back, Warren would be an intriguing pick here. Considered by many the best tight end in a very strong class, he would become a quality weapon alongside second-year star receiver Malik Nabers. While New York would love to solve its quarterback issues, the answer might have to wait a year. In the meantime, the Giants grab a stud to add punch to the offense.

While the Giants do have a promising young tight end in Theo Johnson, Warren is still a viable target for New York. Warren is widely considered the best tight end in this class and is an electric playmaker, which the Giants definitely need more of.

For the Raiders, it’s not crazy to think they could still take Sanders, even after the trade for Smith. However, it’s unlikely Las Vegas would trade up for him with the need at quarterback not being as dire as it once was. That said, if the Raiders want Sanders, they’re going to have to take him at No. 6 because he’s highly unlikely to still be available when the Raiders are on the clock in Round 2.

Ultimately, we expect the Raiders to go in a different direction with the No. 6 pick and take either Ashton Jeanty or the best defensive player on the board before later taking a quarterback on Day 2 or 3. The Giants, on the other hand, are now a much more realistic landing spot for Sanders in the first round and we predict he’ll be New York’s pick at No. 3.