As the Pittsburgh Steelers dive deeper into their preparations for the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that they’re eyeing a quarterback for next month’s selection. Just how high up the draft board they’re willing to climb might hinge on two key factors: the potential signing of Aaron Rodgers and the talent pool available when they make their first selection at No. 21. Recently, much of the chatter has revolved around the Steelers and Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders is widely regarded as the second-best quarterback in this draft class, yet that status doesn’t necessarily propel him into the top ten, particularly within a draft year perceived as lacking strength at the quarterback position. Jeremy Fowler from ESPN recently shared insights on Sanders during an appearance on SportsCenter, with the draft looming under four weeks away.
According to Fowler, “I’ve heard that the Browns at No. 2 and the Giants at No. 3 have certainly put Shedeur Sanders on their radar. However, the Browns currently seem more inclined towards selecting pass rusher Abdul Carter. The real challenge with Sanders is determining just where he might land.”
If the Browns tilt towards choosing Carter, the next question is whether the Giants are ready to take a leap at No. 3 for Sanders. Despite having Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson on their roster, they surely need a long-term answer at quarterback. But they aren’t so desperate that they’d jump on a prospect they’re not thrilled about.
It seems not everyone in the scouting community views Sanders as a can’t-miss prospect.
“I’ve reached out to several top-notch personnel folks I trust, asking their take on Shedeur Sanders as a first-round candidate,” Fowler noted. “Four of them weren’t convinced, while two believed he’s more suited for a mid-to-late first-round pick. We all know quarterbacks can get nudged up the draft for various reasons, but landing in the top three might be pushing it in the eyes of many league insiders.”
So, if the Browns and Giants decide to pass on him, who could break his fall? The Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 might be interested, particularly if they see Geno Smith as only a stopgap and view Sanders as a developmental talent for the future. The New Orleans Saints, sitting at No. 9, have also been diligently assessing quarterbacks and might be contenders. While the Colts at No. 14 appear to have less motivation with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones already on board, they could still take the plunge if Sanders unexpectedly drops and wins them over.
Even if Sanders sidesteps these teams, another scenario could play out: a franchise might trade up, seeing a unique potential in him that others missed. After all, it only takes one team to fall for a player’s potential to make a move.
“While there’s an expectation that he’ll find a home in the first round, possibly quite high, consensus places him just outside the top three currently,” Fowler explained.
Personally, I’m not thrilled about the notion of the Steelers trading up to snag Sanders despite some analysts advocating for it. But if they stick to their guns at No. 21 and find Sanders in their lap, it would at least be worth a moment’s consideration.
