The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have a gigantic question mark at the quarterback position, but there are other holes on the roster that need to be filled as well. These needs will be addressed through free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft, however the draft is too deep at other positions of need for the Steelers to ignore in lieu of selecting a quarterback. In the first round of the event, Pittsburgh should be in good position to select a top defensive tackle, wide receiver, or cornerback. This would improve the roster tremendously, however one of the top quarterbacks may still be on the board.
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaks to members of the media during a press conference at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN.
The Steelers are expected to re-sign either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to a new deal to be the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh for the 2025 season, but that doesn't rule out throwing a rookie into the mix. A rookie quarterback usually benefits from sitting for a season to get their feet wet in the NFL, and that is something Pittsburgh could be considering doing. Reports out of the NFL Combine suggested that one of the top quarterbacks, Shedeur Sanders, may see a significant slide on draft night. Dane Brugler takes that into account during his most recent mock draft, where he has the polarizing prospect landing in Pittsburgh.
"Sanders is going to be a wild card in this draft. He could go in the top six or fall out of the first round entirely — and neither outcome would be a shock," Brugler wrote. "He is not a first-round quarterback for a lot of NFL teams, which isn’t a major surprise (and matches my evaluation). But all it takes is one front office to roll the dice on his skill set. If Sanders falls out of the top 10, this would be an interesting landing spot. The Steelers are searching for answers at the QB position."
Brugler seems to believe that the Steelers have a need at quarterback, which would make the franchise a bit desperate if Sanders were still on the board at 21. Pittsburgh's front office would never select Sanders on a whim, but if the organization has done its due diligence on the prospect and he is still on the board, maybe the Steelers do decide to roll the dice on the incoming rookie.
Fox Sports
Shedeur Sanders talks with his dad, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders during his time at Colorado.
It is believed that the Steelers are interested in a quarterback during the 2025 NFL Draft, but not until later rounds. It seems like the franchise doesn't want to waste a premiere pick on mid-level talent at the position, however there is some belief that the Steelers are completely smitten over Jaxson Dart.
Both Dart and Sanders are complete wild cards. It is hard to gauge whether the two quarterbacks will go in the top-15 or fall out of the first round entirely. Based on reports out of the combine, it should be expected that both quarterbacks will be on the board when the Steelers are selecting with the 21st pick, and it will be interesting how that affects the team's draft process.
Steelers Can't Fall Into The Quarterback Trap During The 2025 NFL Draft
It is imperative that the Steelers address other needs on the roster before selecting a quarterback. The top-end talent at the position in this draft is not all that great, and the franchise would be able to select similar players later in the event. The organization needs to attack the defensive line, secondary, and receiving corps before thinking about selecting a signal-caller.
Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images
Will Howard celebrates during the National Championship.
Players like Will Howard, Quinn Ewers, and even Jalen Milroe will be available in later rounds, it is not worth taking a risk on a player like Sanders or Dart with the 21st overall selection.
What would you do if Sanders was still on the board at 21? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
