During the pre-draft process for the 2025 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders were commonly linked to former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He had hinted that he was hoping to get drafted by the team, and he has a close relationship with minority owner Tom Brady.
The Raiders ended up trading for Geno Smith, which made using a first-round pick on a quarterback unlikely, but the team ended up having several more chances to draft Sanders before the Cleveland Browns selected him in the fifth round.
It was a major surprise, but Sanders is finally getting a chance to make his first NFL start against the Raiders. Ahead of the matchup, head coach Pete Carroll revealed what his impression of the quarterback was during the pre-draft process.
“We visited with him, and I talked to him a little extra,” Carroll said of Sanders. “Just trying to understand where he was coming from, realizing he had been under enormous pressure growing up and just naturally with the pops that he had and all that. … He’s got a really good outlook on the world and how he deals with all the stressers and of the things that comes his way.
“I really liked him. He’s a piano player. … I was impressed with the kid.”
Maxx Crosby Talks Sanders
Growing up, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby formed a relationship with the Sanders family. He’s known Shedeur Sanders since he was a boy.
While Crosby isn’t going to take it easy against his longtime friend, he is excited that the quarterback is getting a chance to prove his worth.
“Young guys are a little unpredictable at times. He has had a lot of success at the college level and he is getting his first start. So, it is going to be a fun battle,” Crosby said of Sanders
“I watched a lot of [Colorado University Football]. I know his family really well, they are great people. I am always rooting for him. It is cool, I am happy for him, that he is getting his first start.”
Can Sanders Lead Brown to Win?
Sanders saw his first NFL action last week against the Baltimore Ravens. That game wasn’t his best showing, as he only completed 4-of-16 passes. However, he hasn’t gotten first-team reps all year, and the Ravens are still one of the NFL’s better teams.
He’ll have a much easier task against the Raiders. Las Vegas is one of the worst teams in the league, and the defense got dominated by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11.
Even though the Browns have just two wins, the defense is actually one of the best in the NFL. They are allowing the second-fewest yards per game. The Raiders offense can’t even score on bad defenses, so it’s going to be a long day for their defense.
Sanders doesn’t need to put up huge numbers to help his team win. If he plays clean football and makes a couple of clutch plays, the Browns should have a good chance to win.
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