ESPN’s Kiper Calls Sanders “Perfect Fit” for Raiders

Six months from now, the Raiders are practically a lock to draft a quarterback and ESPN’s Mel Kiper already has one picked out.

Kiper says Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders shares characteristics with Tom Brady and believes the pairing in Las Vegas would be a good one.

From Kiper in an ESPN Plus piece this week…

“Sanders will obviously go early, and the Raiders should be near the top of the draft. And I think about how new minority owner Tom Brady might impact the team’s draft decisions. Brady was super accurate, tough and excellent in the pocket during his playing career — which sounds a lot like the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Sanders. The senior’s 73.3% completion rate is fourth in the country, and his 82.3 QBR from inside the pocket is 15th.

It seems like a really good fit for a Raiders team that needs a young starter under center. After missing out on all six first-round QBs in the 2024 class, Las Vegas has gotten mediocre play from Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell this season. It’s time for a long-term fix.”

For his part, Sanders said over summer that he views himself as a combination of Brady and Michael Vick.

“I’m a mixture,” Sanders told Complex. “I’m able to stay in the pocket and want to deliver the ball each and every play like Brady but be able to extend plays and if it’s not there, take it like Vick.”

If such a player exists, that would be quite a combination.

The consensus is that Brady will be a strong voice within the Raider organization now that he is a minority owner, and his presence will impact a lot more than just the quarterback position.

If the season doesn’t change course under Antonio Pierce, it’s possible Brady will want to clean house and bring in a GM and head coach he is more familiar with.

Bill Belichick has been linked to the Raiders next year, but former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel might be the other popular option if Brady is the one calling the shots.