Saints pass over top NFL Draft prospect Shedeur Sanders amid quarterback uncertainty

Chris Broussard unveils who is Under Duress ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, featuring Shedeur Sanders and James Harden on the NBA side.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders took a shocking slide in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night, with both the New York Giants and the New Orleans Saints going in different directions with their respective top 10 picks. 

The Giants had been exploring all options, including the quarterback position, in the lead up to the draft but ultimately landed on Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick.

Dec 28, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Alamodome. (Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)

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But perhaps most surprising was the Saints' decision to draft Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the No. 9 pick, despite their uncertainty with the quarterback position. 

The situation surrounding veteran Derek Carr has led to many questions over the past several weeks. What began as reports about a potential shoulder injury that required surgery was seemingly confirmed by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis only Wednesday when he said that Carr does have a shoulder "issue." 

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But the "clarity" ended there. 

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr reacts after their loss against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.  (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

"We’re hoping to get some resolution and some clarity on that in the near future," Loomis said. "And when we do, I’ll