Shedeur Sanders‘ draft stock has been hotter than blacktop in August the moment he declared for the pros. His name has become a constant fixture in football headlines. Initially, his Combine interview sparked a wave of “arrogant” and “brash” labels, causing his projected draft position to dip as low as the 21st pick in some mock drafts. However, the signal-caller has since been tenaciously clinging to his coveted first-round status. As the New York Giants hover with keen interest, much like a cat fixated on a dangling shoelace, the whispers of a Shedeur-to-Giants connection show no signs of fading into the background. And just when you think things might settle, his pops, Deion Sanders, throws some denial into the mix.

From the very outset of the draft season, the narrative of Shedeur Sanders finding his professional home in the Big Apple has been a persistent one. Whether it’s the subtle hints dropped by the young quarterback himself—sporting custom red cleats adorned with blue stripes and a discreet white Giants logo near the heel—or the more overt pronouncements from Coach Prime, who boldly stated, “We are hoping for New York,” the connection has been palpable. Now the idea of a talented QB like him landing in a major sports market like New York is undeniably a compelling storyline. And while it would be perfectly understandable for Deion Sanders to desire such a prominent stage for his son, his recent actions paint a more complex picture.

Coach Prime vehemently shut down what he deemed a “fake rumor” circulating on X, declaring with conviction, “A lie doesn’t care who tells it. It just tries its best to outrun the truth. #CoachPrime.” He further reinforced his stance, adding, “THIS IS A LIE, We’re thankful for whatever God chooses for them.”

Not long ago, Deion had also indicated a reluctance to see his son play for certain unnamed NFL franchises. Now, in the wake of swirling rumors and evolving draft projections, Sanders appears to be casting a considerably wider net. During an appearance on Skip Bayless’ show, he broadened the list of acceptable destinations, naming the Raiders, Giants, Browns, Tennessee, and New Orleans, stating, “if its any of those teams that are seeking a quarterback, I’m happy with it man.” However, the central question remains: are the New York Giants truly in the market for a quarterback, particularly one with a top draft pedigree like Shedeur Sanders?

Now the Giants have undeniably undertaken a significant overhaul of their quarterback room, finally bringing their prolonged experiment with Daniel Jones to a decisive end. Jones’ underwhelming performance and lack of consistent productivity made the decision a relatively straightforward one. But the subsequent moves have created a crowded quarterback landscape. Yet, even Deion Sanders’ emphatic denials haven’t managed to quell the persistent buzz linking Shedeur to the Giants. As NFL insider Dov Kleiman recently posted on X, adding another layer to the ongoing speculation, “𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: Shedeur Sanders is “absolutely” still in play for the Giants despite them signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, per @art_stapleton.”

The arrival of Russell Wilson in East Rutherford further complicates the quarterback equation. The Giants inked the veteran signal-caller to a one-year contract, a deal potentially worth up to $21 million. This is a bold maneuver, especially considering the existing presence of Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito on the roster. So, in a quarterback room that already appears to be at capacity, where exactly would Shedeur Sanders fit into the Giants’ long-term plans?

Dov Kleiman, however, offers a potential explanation, suggesting that the Giants’ recent quarterback acquisitions might not preclude them from drafting another. As Kleiman elaborates, “Giants may end up taking a non-QB at 3, but sources I talk to with knowledge of their plans say Shedeur Sanders “absolutely” in play, and the team feels doubling up at QB was necessary with the way things have broken down in the room the last two years.” Looks like the Giants might be looking to secure a quarterback for the future, even while adding experienced veterans for immediate stability and competition.

Despite the persistent rumors, the hype surrounding the possibility of Shedeur donning a Giants uniform appears to be waning somewhat, with several analysts expressing doubts about New York selecting him with the coveted No. 3 overall pick. During a recent appearance on “Good Morning Football,” NFL insider Peter Schrager weighed in on the situation, noting that the Giants’ acquisition of Russell Wilson provides them with the crucial flexibility to explore options beyond drafting a quarterback early.

When asked directly whether the Giants might indeed forgo selecting a quarterback in the early rounds, Schrager responded with a definitive, “Absolutely.” He further elaborated, stating, “If Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter is higher on their board, this gives them the luxury that they don’t have to take Shedeur Sanders.” Schrager’s take suggests that the Giants might prioritize addressing other pressing needs on their roster, particularly on the defensive side, given their newfound quarterback depth.

Schrager also pointed out that the Giants have yet to arrange a private workout with Shedeur Sanders. Head coach Brian Daboll, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney have, to this point, solely relied on evaluating Sanders’ game film from his time at Colorado and have not had the opportunity to see him throw in person. Schrager believes that the timing of Sanders’ pro day, scheduled for April 4th, might not align favorably with the Giants’ pre-draft evaluation process. As he put it, “They’re not hellbent on Shedeur Sanders.”

Instead, Schrager posits that the New York team might be more inclined to utilize their high draft capital to select a top-tier defensive prospect, such as the highly regarded Abdul Carter or the versatile two-way star Travis Hunter, should they be available. However, despite the analysts’ reservations, a significant portion of the Giants fanbase remains hopeful and vocal in their desire to see Shedeur Sanders quarterback their beloved team in the years to come.

Shedeur Sanders’ definite move toward the Giants

It’s quite something to witness Shedeur Sanders finally garnering the widespread acclaim he warrants after months of online criticism and backlash stemming from his Combine behavior. Let’s be honest, a quarterback with his skillset—a highly efficient passer who capped his season with an impressive 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 74% completion rate—has earned this level of attention. Furthermore, his potential arrival in New York could prove to be a significant boon for the Giants down the line, providing a promising long-term solution once the tenures of Wilson and Winston conclude. As one fan articulated, “Sanders should still be the pick for NYG; Wilson and Winston only have maybe 2 years, if that. Sanders could be the future!”

Adding to the draft narrative, many fans are also hoping that the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns, who possess the coveted first and second picks, will ultimately decide to pass on Shedeur Sanders. Given the Titans’ reported interest in Cam Ward, the outlook for Sanders landing in Tennessee appears uncertain. While the Browns are undeniably in need of a quarterback, with Kenny Pickett currently the sole player at that position on their roster, one particular fan expressed a clear desire to see both teams bypass Sanders, stating, “In other words, we hope the Titans and Browns don’t take QBs. 👍”

Adding a definitive layer to the speculation, much like Dov Kleiman’s confident pronouncements, another fan appears convinced of Shedeur Sanders’ eventual move to the Giants. As they asserted, “Shedeur in NY is good for everyone. Sanders is starting week 1. For the Giants, it’s programmed.”

The allure of playing in a major media hub like New York extends beyond mere recognition, offering the potential for substantial growth in his NIL value, leading to increased endorsement opportunities and lucrative deals. So, from this perspective, a move to the Giants presents a compelling win-win scenario for Shedeur Sanders.

However, a dissenting voice emerges from the fanbase, suggesting that the Giants’ apparent interest in Sanders might be a strategic maneuver for publicity, as one fan commented, “Lol, this would again… be a Giants move.”

Despite this skepticism, the prevailing sentiment seems to align with the idea of Shedeur Sanders heading to the Big Apple, with one fan enthusiastically echoing Kleiman’s prediction, “YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSIR.” Ultimately, the football world awaits the unfolding of the NFL draft to see if things turn out the way Kleiman is predicting it or if there’s another twist to this story.