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Jaxson Dart

Rams, Saints, Steelers Showing Interest In Jaxson Dart

April 24th, 2025 at 4:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Brian Daboll–Jaxson Dart connections preceding a report that pegged Shedeur Sanders as the QB2 on the Giants’ big board illustrates where we are on the NFL calendar effectively. This is peak smokescreen season.

Dart, though, was among the QBs to gain momentum as the pre-draft process wore on. The chance he becomes this draft’s second QB chosen, over Sanders, is squarely on the radar, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. While Ely Allen’s PFR mock placed Dart ahead of Sanders, the latter falling to the QB3 slot in this draft — after being viewed as close to Cam Ward late last year — would be a blow for the second-generation NFL prospect. Daniel Jeremiah’s final NFL.com big board places Sanders 20th and Dart 36th.

A Malik Willis-like fall seems unlikely for Sanders, given the number of teams looking for quarterbacks, but his stock has undeniably taken a hit during the pre-draft process. Dart would stand to benefit, with Howe adding the Saints, Steelers and Rams are showing interest in the Ole Miss product. All three hosted Dart on “30” visits.

A Rams-Tyler Shough connection also emerged this week, and while it seemed then like the team would not use its first-round pick (No. 26) on a Matthew Stafford successor (as opposed to arming the roster to help the aging QB), this Dart rumor gives such a decision some legs. Stafford is under contract for two more seasons, but his contract adjustment still has not been revealed.

The Saints were tied to Dart a few weeks ago, and they have certainly done plenty of work on the QB. PFR’s mock sent Dart to New Orleans, but the team is not expected to want to use its No. 9 overall pick for a passer. Of course, if the Saints balk, they run the risk of missing out on their preferred second-tier QB option in this draft. And they still do not have Derek Carr clarity.

If the Saints do delay their QB need at 9, the Steelers will become the team to watch. Clubs already look to be closely monitoring Pittsburgh for a QB pick, as Denver’s No. 20 selection has come up in trade rumors. The Steelers (No. 21) appear to be sending signals in all directions, as Mike Tomlin is believed to back Sanders. Dart has come up on multiple occasions here as well, and a trade-down rumor — as the Steelers initially did not expect Sanders to fall out of the top 10 — also emerged.

As Aaron Rodgers has continued to leave the Steelers hanging, they have a decision to make soon. If Carr is able to play in 2025, the Saints and Rams have starter-caliber options to deploy. The Steelers would have a basement-level option in Mason Rudolph, highlighting their high-stakes draft.

Giants-Jaxson Dart Pairing Gaining Steam; Team Split On Shedeur Sanders?

April 22nd, 2025 at 11:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nearing the finish line of a second straight quarterback research project ahead of a draft, the Giants have covered their bases on Shedeur Sanders. Although they are not expected to draft the second-generation NFL prospect at No. 3 overall, rumors indicating a trade-up move to acquire him are still circulating.

The Giants spoke with Sanders at the Combine, hosted him on a “30” visit, dined with him before Colorado’s pro day and worked him out in Boulder last week. Darius Slayton‘s sister, Maleika, also serves as Colorado’s director of on-campus recruiting. Describing Joe Schoen‘s thorough examination of Sanders, one GM informed ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter the fourth-year GM “has lived in Boulder.” Still, Sanders’ stock has undeniably fallen since last season, when Giants connections first emerged.

[RELATED: Giants, Browns Discussing Trade-Down Scenarios]

Sanders-Giants hype has “cooled dramatically” since December, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes, who indicates Jaxson Dart buzz is building. The Ole Miss product came up as a player Brian Daboll liked, and Hughes calls Dart a name to watch regarding a trade-up move. Dart has been tied to the Saints and Steelers as well, as the three teams join the Browns as clubs interested in the second wave of QBs in this draft — though, perhaps not with a high pick in the round.

A trade-up derby of sorts is shaping up after the Titans’ Cam Ward pick (one almost certain to begin the draft). Sanders does not seem out of the question to be a Giants target after they make a pick at No. 3 overall (presumably Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter), but Schefter adds a belief within the league points to some in the Giants’ organization are higher on Sanders than others. A recent report also pegged the Daboll-Schoen relationship becoming increasingly tense — as their seats warm — though Daboll, as could be expected, said (via the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz) he and his former Bills coworker are aligned.

After Dave Gettleman pick Daniel Jones‘ extended runway to prove a worthy Eli Manning successor did not produce a smooth takeoff, Schoen and Daboll may have just one more offseason to identify their own QB. John Mara said in January his patience has almost run out with the state of the team, raising the stakes for this draft. While Schoen has said the signings of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston give the team flexibility, not leaving this draft with a long-term option will make for a difficult sell.

The prospect of Sanders falling out of the first round should not be ruled out, per SI.com’s Albert Breer. As our Ely Allen noted in his prospect evaluation of the two-year Buffaloes starter, rumblings about the QB’s attitude turning teams off emerged during the pre-draft process. The Giants may have been one of them, as Breer describes the team as having gone through ups and downs with the passer during its lengthy evaluation.

While Sanders’ attitude may have alienated some during the earlier stages of this process, Breer adds the polarizing prospect is believed to have displayed more modesty recently. With his stock no longer approaching that of Ward, it would understandable if Sanders’ tune has changed as teams determine whether a player whose on-field traits have not proved captivating can be a long-term centerpiece.

Sanders falling out of the top 10 appears more likely, as a recent Breer offering indicated an owner may need to become involved for a team to pull the trigger in Round 1. While not viewing that assessment as gospel, Breer still can envision a Sanders fall. This could put the Steelers to a decision at No. 21, but with a report Mike Tomlin likes the QB surfacing, clubs have a range to target when preparing a trade-up maneuver. Sanders’ landing spot has probably become the most interesting storyline leading up to the draft.

Saints Likelier To Add QB After Round 1?

April 21st, 2025 at 3:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

APRIL 21: The Saints have done much more work on Dart than Sanders, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes. That falls in line with reporting from ESPN’s Adam Schefter; both pieces point further to New Orleans opting against a signal-caller at No. 9 and targeting one later. On that note, Schefter adds the Saints have made “exploratory calls” about trading up in the second round, a move which would be aimed at selecting a passer like Dart or another option at the position.

APRIL 18: A recent report indicated the Saints want to come out of this draft with a quarterback, but they may not view this prospect crop as producing anyone — after Cam Ward goes off the board — worthy of the No. 9 overall pick.

With the caveat of smokescreen season being in full swing, the Saints appear more likely — even after the Derek Carr news became public — to wait on a quarterback rather than select one in Round 1. They do not appear enamored with a passing prospect enough to pull the trigger at No. 9, NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill notes; ESPN.com’s Matt Miller concurs.

If the top 10 closes without a second quarterback being taken, an interesting pursuit will begin. The Giants are also viewed as being in the mix to trade up from their second-round position (No. 34) for a potential long-term answer. The Saints hold the No. 40 overall choice, a range Underhill classifies as a sweet spot for the team to get serious at QB. The Saints famously have not chosen a first-round quarterback since Archie Manning (1971), seeing free agents (Carr, Drew Brees) and trade acquisitions (Aaron Brooks) carrying the load throughout this century. With Carr’s status uncertain, however, the organization will be taking a risk by passing at No. 9.

The Saints would have a few second-tier options to choose from if they were to take their chances and go another direction in the first round. It does not look like Shedeur Sanders will be chosen in the top 10, based on recent reports, and ESPN.com’s Field Yates does not view the Saints as being sold on Sanders to the point they would burn their top draft asset on the two-year Colorado starter. That said, Yates adds Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough are believed to be on the team’s radar at a later point.

To land Dart, the Saints will probably need to trade back into Round 1. This would allow them to pick up a fifth-year option on the Ole Miss alum’s contract. Our Ely Allen mocked Dart to the Saints at No. 9. That would be the safest play for the team, even though it would strip away the chance of bolstering its Week 1 starting lineup with a higher-level prospect. QB reaches occur annually, but if the Saints do not view a substantial gap to exist between this glut of second-tier options, waiting on one could be the play.

Saints-Dart connections came up earlier during the pre-draft process, while the team has also been tied to Quinn Ewers. The latter likely will be available at No. 40. Additionally, Miller notes the Saints still view fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler as having upside. Rattler submitted a shaky run as Carr’s primary injury fill-in, after falling in the 2024 draft. Though, this came with the Saints missing their top two wide receivers, creating a tough situation for a Day 3 rookie. It would still be unlikely if the Saints left this draft with Carr and Rattler as their top two QB options, but the latter’s presence may deter the team from reaching for a passer at No. 9.

A non-QB addition in Round 1, to merely add another potential quality starter to the roster, may well be the play while the franchise examines this year’s passer contingent. With the Browns likely joining the Giants in being on the trade-up radar, to go with the QB-needy Steelers lurking as well, the Saints will have some potential landmines to navigate if they do pass at No. 9 and look to circle back to the game’s premier position soon after.

Steelers Have 1st-Round Grade On Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

April 20th, 2025 at 10:09pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Steelers have a first-round grade on Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, though that does not mean they’ll prioritize the position over other needs in next week’s draft.

Instead, Dulac writes, Pittsburgh will likely target a defensive lineman or even a running back with their first-round pick. Both positions have projected top-10 picks (Michigan’s Mason Graham, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty) who are not expected to fall to the Steelers with multiple second-tier talents that should be available at No. 21.

The team’s defensive line targets include Georgia’s Walter Nolen, Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, and Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, per Dulac. At running back, Pittsburgh could target North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton or Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson, though they may wait until Day 2 to pick from a deep class.

Pittsburgh used 17 of their top-30 pre-draft visits on defensive linemen and running backs, another indication that their first-round pick will target one of the two positions.

The Steelers’ top brass also did their homework on this year’s quarterback class. They have a first-round grade on Dart and “really like” Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, per Dulac, making both potential options with the 21st round pick if the talent at DL and RB thins out. The team also scouted a number of Day 2 quarterbacks via pro days and top-30 visits.

Ultimately, though, it’s hard to believe that the Steelers would pass up the opportunity to draft a potential franchise quarterback after cycling through a half-dozen starters since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. They may still sign Aaron Rodgers to start this year, but they have no long-term options on the roster and a clear desire to add one. It would be strange to have first-round grades on Dart and potentially Sanders but prioritize other positions when quarterback is such a dire need in 2025 and beyond.

Giants Preparing For QB Move After No. 3; Brian Daboll High On Jaxson Dart

April 18th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

Since the signings of Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson in free agency, the possibility of the Giants waiting until after the No. 3 pick to add a quarterback has gained steam. Signs continue to point in that direction with less than one week remaining until the opening round.

New York’s final days of pre-draft visits has included work with a number of quarterback prospects, but taking any not named Cam Ward (long regarded as a lock to go No. 1) would be seen by many as a reach. Turning aside interest for the third overall selection would leave the Giants in position to select whichever member of the Travis Hunter-Abdul Carter pair remains after the Browns make their pick. Carter heads to New York in PFR’s first-round mock.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes the Giants appear to have a clear plan in place across the organization with respect to addressing the quarterback spot. That effort is unlikely to include the third overall pick, something corroborated by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. The latter notes taking a signal-caller at the top of the second round (New York owns pick No. 34) or trading up into the late Day 1 order remains on the table.

A scenario in which the Giants draft Hunter and then pull off a trade-up maneuver to add his former Colorado teammate Shedeur Sanders has been floated as a possibility. Sanders’ stock appears to be falling compared to other second-tier quarterbacks, something which could make it easier for an interested team to acquire him outside of the top 10. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has emerged as a Sanders supporter, though, meaning the No. 21 slot could represent his floor.

Regardless of how Sanders’ draft process plays out, Jaxson Dart is a name to watch with respect to the Giants. Head coach Brian Daboll is a fan of the Ole Miss product, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. Dart has frequently been mentioned as a potential first-rounder and a candidate to be the second QB to hear his name called. Schultz adds to the expectation Dart will come off the board during the draft’s opening night, a scenario which would require general manager Joe Schoen to make a move up from 34.

Questions loom about both Daboll and Schoen regarding their job security, and drafting a passer capable of operating as a long-term starter represents an obvious target entering a key 2025 campaign. Playing time will not be immediately available for a rookie added next week if things go to plan with the team’s veterans, but the pursuit of one of the class’ top options would come as no surprise.

NFL Announces 17 Prospects Attending NFL Draft

April 14th, 2025 at 6:30pm CST by Ben Levine

There will be 17 draft prospects waiting in the green room to hear their name announced next week. The NFL announced the players who will attend the first round next Thursday night in Green Bay:

When players commit to attending the first round of the draft, their respective camps have often been given some kind of assurance that they’ll be selected within the top-32 picks. Of course, that’s not a prerequisite, and as we’ve seen many times, there are some overly-confident prospects who subsequently endure the very-public waiting game.

Per usual, the most notable inclusions surround the QB position. Cam Ward is the favorite to go first-overall, and Shedeur Sanders (who is absent from this list) is also expected to be selected at some point in the first round. After that, the position is pretty uncertain, and that could lead to some awkward moments for the other QBs who decided to attend.

Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe have firmly established themselves in that next tier of QB prospects, and recent reports have indicated that they should be at least Day 2 picks. There haven’t been any definitive reports about their Day 1 candidacy, and while we shouldn’t read too much into the list of attendees, it is notable that both prospects believe they have a shot of going in the top-32 selections.

Browns Host Several QB Prospects; Raiders To Meet With Jaxson Dart

April 8th, 2025 at 10:36pm CST by Ely Allen

Tuesday was a busy day in Cleveland, where the Browns hosted a number of quarterback prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. According to a few different sources, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Louisville’s Tyler Shough all were on site for visits in Cleveland today.

Don’t be mistaken, despite recent buzz for Dart and Milroe as potential first-rounders, neither player is likely being considered a target at No. 2 overall. More likely, the Browns are exploring the possibility of utilizing their current first-round pick on one of either Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado athlete Travis Hunter then either taking a quarterback at the top of the second round or trading back into the first round for one.

Dart seems like the least likely to land in Cleveland. In order to draft Dart, it’s starting to look like the Browns would need to trade well into the first round. Dart has been noted as a player under consideration as the Saints (No. 9 overall pick) explore their options for a quarterback of the future. If Dart gets passed over in favor of a sliding Shedeur Sanders or some other prospect, the Steelers could move on the Ole Miss product to take over after Aaron Rodgers (or if Rodgers never signs). After visiting with the Browns today, Dart will visit next with the Raiders, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’s also spent “considerable time” with the Giants and Rams.

If Dart does go to New Orleans or some other team early, the Steelers have also been linked to Milroe. Pittsburgh really likes Milroe due to his elite athleticism. The Alabama product has plenty of shortcomings as a quarterback prospect, but many believe that, if they can coach up some of those areas of concern, his athleticism will be too big of an asset to pass up. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Milroe had private workouts with both Cleveland and New Orleans that were described as “impressive.” Today’s top-30 visit with the Browns was reported by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cabot also reported Shough’s participation.

Shough has not really been the subject of many rumblings about the first round, but as a quarterback, he may just sneak in. Should Cam Ward, Sanders, Dart, and Milroe all come off the board after Pittsburgh is done selecting at No. 21 overall, the Browns may find it safe to trade up a pick or two into the first round to take Shough.

While it would be a safe bet that Shough could fall to them at the top of the second round, moving up slightly likely wouldn’t cost Cleveland too much draft capital. Also, trading into the first round for any of the above prospects would provide Cleveland the luxury of a fifth-year option, giving them more time to develop whatever young passer they may acquire.

Browns To Hold Additional Meeting With Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders; Teams Doubting Cleveland’s Abdul Carter Interest?

April 3rd, 2025 at 4:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having rostered two players who could end up top-five picks in the draft, Colorado will feature its most notable pro day in ages. The Buffaloes’ top prospects are set to work out Friday in Boulder, and dozens of high-ranking NFL personnel members will be there.

Although the Titans are sending several key staffers to Boulder, the Browns will do more preparation on Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Browns brass will have dinner with the Buffaloes’ top duo, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes.

[RELATED: Which Team Will Select Hunter In Draft?]

This dinner comes after the Browns hosted both players on “30” visits and conducted meetings and workouts with other quarterbacks. Cleveland has hosted Cam Ward on a “30” visit and gone through a workout with the likely No. 1 overall pick, and the team has worked out Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart; a Tyler Shough meeting is also scheduled. But Cleveland holds the No. 2 pick, likely giving — in the expected event the Titans start the draft with Ward — right of first refusal on the Colorado stars.

Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski will be at the dinner, per Cabot, who adds new OC Tommy Rees and veteran QBs coach Bill Musgrave likely will join the top power brokers. The Browns view Hunter as a wide receiver, separating them from the Titans and Giants regarding one of the most interesting prospects in NFL history. Sanders, however, would be the more interesting pick from a big-picture lens.

The Browns are not expected to trade up to No. 1, as a 2-to-1 move has never happened in the NFL draft, but they have been closely connected to Abdul Carter. Cleveland brass hosted the Penn State defensive end on a “30” visit and dined with Carter and his family before the Nittany Lions’ pro day last week. However, some around the league are sensing a smokescreen effort. Two anonymous GMs told the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora they are not sold on a Browns-Carter fit, with one citing Stefanski being absent at the D-end’s dinner as a sign this might not come to fruition.

It would be a risk if the Browns passed on a quarterback at 2, even if Sanders has generated considerable scrutiny about being worthy of such an investment. Sanders, however, is not expected to fall too far if the Browns pass. Opinions vary on the Giants’ interest in Sanders, though a recent report suggested the NFC East team is indeed believed to be in on the two-year Buffaloes starter. If the Browns pass on Sanders, they may face the prospect of needing to trade back into Round 1 to acquire another QB. La Canfora doubles down on Dart being a first-round pick, something that has come up for a bit now.

The Browns hold the Nos. 33, 67 and 94 selections — the third choice coming via the Amari Cooper trade — if they want to assemble a package that could allow them to draft Carter and then vault up for Dart or, potentially, a falling Sanders. With Deshaun Watson almost definitely never taking another snap with the team — especially after Jimmy Haslam made the public admission of the catastrophic blunder his franchise made in trading for the embattled QB — the Browns need a cost-controlled option under center.

The Titans will send GM Mike Borgonzi, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and DC Dennard Wilson to Colorado, ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport adds. Brian Callahan and team president Chad Brinker will not join them, having already spent extensive time on Hunter and Sanders, whose private workout with Tennessee is slated for April 9. With Ward the most likely player to be Nashville-bound to start the draft, however, the Browns will be tasked with determining if Sanders or Hunter are worth passing on Carter.

QB Prospect Notes: Fins, Colts, Saints, Rams

April 2nd, 2025 at 8:59pm CST by Ben Levine

While much of the pre-draft quarterback talk has been focused on teams atop the draft board, there are plenty of additional squad eyeing prospects at the position. Over the past few weeks, the Dolphins, Colts, Saints, and Rams have been among the teams connected to rookie quarterbacks.

As mentioned, the Dolphins have been among the team’s scouting quarterbacks, with Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reporting that the team has met with, scouted, or “evaluated” Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord. Jackson passes along a prediction from agent Drew Rosenhaus, who recently opined that the Dolphins will end up taking a QB in the draft.

While the organization may simply be doing their due diligence, it makes sense for the Dolphins to consider the position in the draft. Tua Tagovailoa‘s injury and concussion injury has been well documented, and there will continue to be questions about the starter’s playing future. While Miami brought in Zach Wilson this offseason, the former draft bust likely wouldn’t be the team’s first choice to take over atop the depth chart.

Sticking in the AFC, Colts GM Chris Ballard admitted that his team would take a QB if the situation presented itself. The team is rostering a former fourth-overall pick in Anthony Richardson, and they added former Giants starter Daniel Jones this offseason. Still, the organization has a hole on the depth chart after Sam Ehlinger left in free agency, and they could look for a QB3 via the draft.

“If you think there’s somebody organizationally that you believe in, at any point, I think you pull the trigger,” Ballard said (via Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star).

One of the teams that’s considered likeliest to select a QB is in the NFC. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football recently said there’s “something” to the team’s flirtation with many of the non-blue chip prospects. Underhill cites the team’s need for a long-term answer behind Derek Carr, and their pursuit could even lead to them selecting a QB in the first round. Among the players presumably under consideration is Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that head coach Kellen Moore was in attendance for the school’s pro day.

Finally, the Rams have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for rookie quarterbacks. Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic says the team is “open” to drafting a player at the position, although they “won’t reach for one.” As Rodrigue notes, both GM Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have expressed interest in bringing in a young signal caller to play behind Matthew Stafford.

Latest On Giants, Russell Wilson; Team Still Eyeing Shedeur Sanders?

March 28th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although it was fairly clear the Giants preferred Aaron Rodgers, they signed Russell Wilson to be their expected Week 1 starter. Wilson may well have preferred to stay in Pittsburgh, but his 2024 team is still pursuing Rodgers, leading to this marriage of convenience.

Reeling after making the mistake of re-signing Daniel Jones, thus pushing a failed investment to six years, the Giants have Wilson and Jameis Winston as stopgaps while they determine if this is the year to draft a potential long-term option. Although both Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll are on hot seats, the franchise choosing the wrong year to draft a passer brought significant consequences last time.

[RELATED: Giants, Patriots To Meet With Abdul Carter]

Some around the league are indeed wondering if the Giants’ Wilson addition means they are skeptical on this year’s non-Cam Ward options, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. The Wilson move does provide flexibility for a reeling team, as the Giants would have been less likely to pass on Shedeur Sanders had they not landed the aging QB. And others are not convinced the Giants are out on a QB at No. 3.

As of now, ESPN.com’s Matt Miller hears quarterback is likely to be Big Blue’s direction with the third overall pick. A scout informed Miller the Giants’ interest in Sanders is the “worst-kept secret in the league right now.” Linked to the two-year Colorado starter in the fall, the Giants have remained connected to a polarizing prospect — one they arranged a visit with in early February. The team had staffers in attendance at every Buffaloes home game last season, Miller adds. Of course, with Travis Hunter also spending two years in Boulder, it is not exactly surprising to learn of consistent Giants attendance.

Ward has separated himself in this QB class, but if the Giants pass on Sanders, they may be locked out of top second-tier options. Barring a trade-up, Jaxson Dart is unlikely to be available when the Giants go back on the clock (No. 34). Dart first-round buzz has persisted, with Miller and ESPN colleague Field Yates viewing the Ole Miss product as a near-certainty to be a first-round pick. Some teams have Dart ranked second among QBs on their respective big boards, ESPN’s Jordan Reid adds. That adds intrigue to the Sanders situation.

A recent report indicated a fall out of the top 10 is unlikely for Sanders, even as doubts creep in about a player not possessing his father’s generational athletic gifts. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Sanders as this year’s 18th-best prospect — with Ward 10th. The Titans would be passing on a top-tier prospect by selecting Ward, and with the Browns and Giants’ decision-makers in more desperate situations, positional need makes it somewhat difficult to imagine both teams will pass.

Sanders still led Division I-FBS with a 74% completion rate and earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors, finishing with a 37:10 TD-INT ratio and posing 4,134 passing yards. Despite Deion Sanders‘ historically elite speed, his son is not a running quarterback; Shedeur finished with negative rushing yards in both his FBS seasons.

Sanders’ perceived lower athletic ceiling has helped separate he and Ward, putting the Browns to a decision. The Browns have been closely linked to Abdul Carter. The draft going Ward-Carter would put the Giants to a seemingly Colorado-based decision, as Hunter would arrive as a splashy addition — at either WR or CB — while his longtime teammate would generate questions and begin behind Wilson.

A Giants depth chart with Wilson, Winston and Sanders would seem unrealistic, potentially leading Winston to the trade block in a situation that would remind of the Jets’ Teddy Bridgewater move in 2018. The Jets traded up for Sam Darnold and traded Bridgewater to the Saints for a third-round pick before that season, keeping Josh McCown as the rookie’s backup. Wilson rightfully expects to be the Giants’ starter, but it does appear likely he will mentor a rookie — even if the Giants pass on Sanders at 3.

After the Broncos cut Wilson and the Steelers did not show much interest in retaining him, the QB canvassed the league about a fit with Daboll, per the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy. The Giants obviously did the same. Wilson’s one-year contract includes $10.5MM guaranteed and contains incentives that could vault the value to $21MM.

If Wilson plays 65% of the Giants’ offensive snaps, he will earn an additional $500K, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, who adds an additional $1MM would come his way for a 75% snap rate. A $2MM bump would be due if Wilson hits the 85% snap barrier. Performance-wise, Wilson can earn $500K with a passer rating above 96.0 and another $500K if he reaches a 64% completion rate. A 20-plus-TD pass season and carrying a passer rating north of 88 nets him another $500K as well. Wilson posted passer ratings of 98.0 and 95.6 over the past two seasons.

The Giants making the playoffs during a season in which Wilson plays 55% of the snaps would lead to a $750K payout. A 75% participation rate and a playoff berth nets Wilson $1.5MM. Another million in incentives comes with playoff wins. The Giants have also incentivized regular-season victories, as Breer adds Wilson playing 50% of the snaps in any regular-season win would bring a $176K bump.

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