The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the thick of their preparations ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Their offseason has been marked by numerous engaging discussions on a variety of topics, but the central question on everyone's mind is undoubtedly the Steelers' strategy and selections in the upcoming draft. The anticipation is building as fans and analysts alike eagerly await to see how the Steelers will utilize their draft capital to shape their roster for the future.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin during a press conference.
The primary subject of debate surrounding the Steelers this offseason has been the significant void at the quarterback position, with speculation centering on whether the team will acquire veteran Aaron Rodgers, select a rookie prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft, or potentially pursue both avenues. However, during a recent segment on 93.7 The Fan, Ray Fittipaldo, a journalist covering the Steelers for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, cautioned fans against placing excessive weight on the various rumors and reports currently circulating about the team's internal happenings and potential plans. He suggested that the actual decision-making process within the Steelers organization might differ significantly from the external noise and speculation.
"There's all kinds of chatter out there, it's called 'lying season' for a reason," Fittipaldo stated.
Much of the pre-draft discussions has revolved around the quarterback prospects available in this year's class. Reports have consistently indicated the Steelers have the intention to select their potential long-term franchise quarterback in either the upcoming 2025 draft or the subsequent one. Fittipaldo specifically is talking about two quarterback prospects who are considered strong contenders to be drafted by the Steelers, based on their playing styles, projected draft availability, and reported prior interactions with the team leading up to the draft. These two players are Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart.
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Both Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart are considered to be first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
However, despite the widespread speculation and the apparent need at quarterback, Fittipaldo stated his strong conviction that the Steelers will not select a quarterback in the first round of the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. It's understandable why many fans anticipate the Steelers addressing the quarterback position early, given both the urgent vacancy and the lack of a decision from Rodgers, coupled with the extensive media coverage surrounding the team's interactions with various quarterback prospects. These factors have naturally led many to believe that a first-round quarterback selection is a highly probable outcome for the Steelers.
Fittipaldo suggests that the Steelers organization might be intentionally allowing, or even encouraging, the ongoing media discussions and speculation about their potential to draft a quarterback early in the upcoming draft. He implies that this could be a deliberate strategy on the part of the team.
"The Steelers might want you to think they're going quarterback in Round 1," Fittipaldo said.
The NFL Draft's dynamic is interesting because it's significantly driven by the specific needs of each team. Teams with a critical need at quarterback, for instance, can lead to a rapid depletion of available quarterbacks early in the draft. The previous year's draft vividly showed this, with six quarterbacks being selected within the first 12 picks. This historical precedent suggests that the Steelers might be employing a strategic approach by allowing the quarterback speculation to persist, potentially influencing other teams' draft decisions and increasing the likelihood of the players they truly desire being available when their pick comes around.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers making their selection at the NFL Draft.
Steelers Are Without A Second-Round Pick
The Steelers' actual draft intentions will remain a mystery until their selections are officially made. The NFL Draft provides every team with the chance to address weaknesses across their entire roster, leaving the Steelers with a multitude of potential paths. However, it's crucial to remember that the Steelers are without a second-round pick this year, a consequence of trading for veteran wide receiver DK Metcalf. While Metcalf is undoubtedly a valuable addition to their receiving corps, the absence of that second-round selection represents a significant loss of draft capital. It will be particularly interesting to observe how this lack of a second-round pick influences and potentially alters the Steelers' overall draft strategy when they are on the clock.
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