The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the top teams to keep a close eye on during the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The annual event is fairly unique this year due to the deep level of talent, although there isn't a ton of high-end players that will be selected. Another rare attribute of the draft is that all 32 teams have a pick in the first, which is something that usually is not the case as trades occur and picks get moved around. There are question marks all over the draft board as scouts throughout the league seem to have mixed feelings about a lot of prospects, including Colorado quarterback, Shedeur Sanders.
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Shedeur Sanders speaks with his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders, during his time at Colorado.
Throughout most of the 2025 offseason, it seemed like Sanders was going to be a top five pick in the draft. However, it now seems more likely than ever that he is going to slide down the draft board. This could really shake things up in the first-round, and a quarterback free-falling down the board could make teams panic. There seems to be a real chance that Pittsburgh will be able to land Sanders with the 21st pick, or trade up to a reasonable spot to pick him.
ESPN draft expert Matt Miller wrote about what to expect in the first-round after speaking with a league scout.
"In a conversation with a high-level scout, I was told to expect the unexpected in the first-round. 'This first-round is going to be wild,' he said, relating that the lack of consensus grades means we'll see many 'reaches' in Round 1 compared to our media boards," Miller wrote. "One prediction from the same scout: Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart being selected over Shedeur Sanders. According to the scout, multiple NFL teams have Dart ranked over Sanders and believe he has better physical traits (arm strength, mobility) and more developmental upside."
Earlier in the offseason, it didn't seem like there was any question as to who the second-ranked quarterback was in the draft class. Sanders seemed to have that label locked up, with the thought being that he could be drafted as high as the second overall pick. Now, Jaxson Dart has been able to make a name for himself, which could lead to him being selected ahead of Sanders.
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Former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart smiles after winning a big time bowl game.
Dart was originally thought to be a Day 2 pick, but now he is often being mocked to go in the top 10. This could be considered good news for the Steelers if the organization wants to land a player like Sanders. It is believed that Cam Ward will go to the Tennessee Titans with the first overall pick, and the other quarterback-needy teams will have to decide between Dart and Sanders. Recent reports make it seem like the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants won't be picking a quarterback in the first-round, which eliminates some of the competition for Pittsburgh.
Aside from Cleveland and New York, the other teams Pittsburgh should worry about picking a quarterback are the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints. If both of those franchises opt not to pick a quarterback, the Steelers should be able to land one of the other first-round quarterbacks, who have both already visited the facility.
Steelers Had Promising Visit With Shedeur Sanders
Sanders went to Pittsburgh's facility on Thursday, and the quarterback seemed to enjoy his time with the Steelers. He spoke afterwards about being open to sitting behind a veteran to learn, while also praising Head Coach Mike Tomlin. The two sides seem like they would form a great relationship, as Tomlin has an affinity for football pedigree - which Sanders has in bunches.
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Former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders throwing during his Pro Day in 2025.
A lot will need to happen for Pittsburgh to be able to draft Sanders, but as the draft grows closer, it seems like a strong possibility.
What do you think about Miller's new report regarding the first-round? Let us know in the comments below!
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