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A look at the NFL teams that Shedeur Sanders will be visiting within the next two weeks
With just a few weeks left before the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders has reportedly scheduled meetings with two NFL teams that have already been linked to him, as well as canceling a meeting with another. As the NFL Draft creeps closer, let’s take a look look at these three teams and whether they have a realistic shot at drafting Shedeur, or if he’d be a good fit for the team and city.
Canceled Visit – Tennessee Titans
It’s been widely reported that Shedeur Sanders and the Titans have mutually canceled their scheduled meeting for last week. While this doesn’t 100% rule Tennessee out on drafting Sanders, it’s a pretty strong indicator that they’ve already made their decision with the No. 1 overall pick. And if you believe the current rumor mill, it’s sounding more and more likely that the Titans are locked in on Cam Ward.
This decision makes sense for both sides. Tennessee already spent a high pick on Will Levis just two drafts ago and they may feel Ward is a better fit for their future. On the flip side, Sanders and his camp are likely focusing their energy on teams that still have him high on their board. That being said, don’t expect the Titans to be in play for Sanders anymore.
Visit 1 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Sanders met with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week — a team that feels like it’s just one piece away from being a legitimate playoff contender year in and year out. Quarterback has been Pittsburgh’s biggest question mark for nearly half a decade and Sanders may be the answer they’ve been searching for since Ben Roethlisberger retired.
The cultural fit makes a lot of sense. Mike Tomlin runs a disciplined, respected locker room that Sanders has already publicly praised, even hinting in a recent interview that there was
strong mutual interest between both sides. The Steelers don’t pick until No. 21 overall, but if they see Sanders as their guy, don’t be surprised if they trade up to get him. This could be a real draft night storyline, so make sure to keep your eye out.
Visit 2 – Las Vegas Raiders
Next week, Shedeur is set to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders — a team that has been linked to him for nearly a year. This match once felt like a lock after the Sanders family met with the Raiders brass at Big 12 Media Days, but recent developments have added some uncertainty.
The Raiders fired coach Antonio Pierce and brought in former Southern Cal and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. One of Carroll’s first moves as coach was trading for Geno Smith, his former QB in Seattle, and signing him to a two-year $75 million extension. Smith joining the Raiders has created legitimate questions about how committed the organization is to adding another quarterback early.
That said, Smith may simply be a bridge quarterback, and the Raiders could still see Sanders as their long-term answer. Vegas picks at No. 6, which could be a sweet spot to land Sanders without needing to move up.
by Jacob.Thompson
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