Mel Kiper’s NFL mock draft allows Giants to take Shedeur Sanders

One of the NFL’s top draft experts links the Giants and Shedeur Sanders.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s first mock draft has Big Blue landing Colorado’s quarterback with the third overall pick, which would mark a new era in New York.

“This is the best-case scenario for the Giants,” Kiper wrote of the Giants potentially taking Sanders. “Their Week 17 win over the Colts moved them to third, and now finding a new QB1 in the first round isn’t guaranteed. But Daniel Jones is gone and Drew Lock is a free agent, so the Giants need to do something to clean up one of the worst passing games in the league.

Kiper raised the possibility that the Giants could move up from No. 3 to Sanders, who is considered one of the top two QB prospects in this class alongside Miami’s Cam Ward.

“New York will evaluate all options and may ultimately be forced to move into the top two to get their man.”

Ultimately, Kiper believes Sanders will be available when it’s the Giants’ turn to draft in April.

“But here, Sanders falls to the Giants without any additional moves. Sanders is super accurate, completing 74 percent of his throws this season. He could step in immediately and lift the entire offense, including 2024 first-rounder Malik Nabers. Time is running out for general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll; they have to do things right.

Ward is on track to become the Titans’ No. 1 pick in the first mock draft of the season.

Kiper has Sanders’ teammate, cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter, as the Browns’ No. 2 pick.

The Giants hit the reset button on quarterback earlier this season, releasing Daniel Jones after six seasons and turning their eyes toward the 2025 draft.

Last year, the Giants had the No. 6 pick and saw quarterbacks come off the board 1, 2 and 3 – Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye – before selecting Nabers.