JUST IN : Silver and Bold: Why the Raiders Could Make a Stunning Draft Day Move to Land Shedeur Sanders Despite Signing Geno Smith

Raiders Rumors: Could Las Vegas Trade Up to Draft Shedeur Sanders?

As NFL Draft buzz continues to heat up, the Las Vegas Raiders have quietly emerged as a potential suitor for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Even with the recent addition of veteran Geno Smith in free agency, the Raiders may not hesitate to make a bold move if the right opportunity to draft Sanders arises.

According to ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Ben Solak, Las Vegas is a team worth keeping a close eye on.

“The Raiders are the ones to watch,” Solak said. “Geno Smith’s contract extension is structured in a way that offers flexibility — it’s heavily front-loaded, making it easy for the team to move on after the 2025 season if needed. In fact, he would only count $18.5 million against the cap as dead money if released in 2026, and none of his 2027 salary is guaranteed.”

This setup could pave the way for a rookie quarterback like Sanders to take over sooner rather than later. While the Raiders still have significant needs on defense, Solak noted that the offense is more developed than many believe, and could support a young signal-caller.

Another key factor? Shedeur Sanders has an existing connection with Tom Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders. That relationship could play a role in any potential draft-day decision.

A Chance to Land a Future Star

Despite questions about his throwing mechanics that have caused his draft stock to slip in recent weeks, Sanders remains an intriguing prospect. His accuracy and escapability stand out, even if he doesn’t possess the elite athleticism of peers like Cam Ward or Jalen Milroe.

Sanders’ football intelligence also shines. He’s shown the ability to break down plays and even challenge coaching calls when reviewing film — often with good reason. His leadership helped lift the Colorado Buffaloes from a struggling program into national relevance.

With the draft drawing near, there’s no telling how things will shake out for Sanders. But if Las Vegas has the chance to draft him, there’s little doubt they’ll seriously consider it.