Steelers' AFC North Rival Might Have Secret Strategy To Disrupt Pittsburgh's Round 1 Dream

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 draft plans have been kept pretty close to the vest. As usual, there's a lot of mixed reporting as NFL teams leak different news and try to confuse their counterparts. No one wants their draft strategy tipped off, as it could be detrimental to their process. With every team hoping to gain an advantage, this level of secrecy is expected in the lead-up to the draft.

One worry for the Steelers is their hope that quarterback Shedeur Sanders actually falls to them at 21. However, this is far from a guarantee. The team has to be cautious about other clubs making moves to jump ahead of them. Teams are always looking for opportunities to move up and snag a player they believe can be a franchise changer, and the Steelers' desire to secure Sanders could make them vulnerable to a potential trade.

A perfect example of this scenario involves the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers' big AFC North rival. Mike Florio believes the Browns could be wise to trade back from the second overall pick. With several big, expensive contracts on the books and a need for more affordable talent on rookie deals, trading down makes sense. If Cleveland were to do so, they could position themselves to select Sanders, potentially stealing him from right under the Steelers' noses, and further intensifying their rivalry.

"From time to time over the past couple of months, I’ve made the argument on PFT Live that the Browns should consider trading down from No. 2, if they get an offer they like," Florio said. "I might as well make it here, too. The reason is pretty basic, which allows it to fit within my overall mental bandwidth. Every draft pick is a lottery ticket. Given the current state of the team’s roster and salary cap, they need more tickets that will translate to more affordable rookie deals."

Florio’s statement about the Browns potentially trading back makes a boatload of sense. The Browns' massive Deshaun Watson mistake has been a costly one, and the fallout continues to pile on, affecting their long-term strategy. They also just handed Myles Garrett a $40 million per year deal, which further limits their financial flexibility. 

Picking second overall, the Browns have a chance to land a game-changing player, but if they believe someone like Sanders—or another prospect they covet—will still be available at 10, moving back could be the right move. It’s a pragmatic decision that could help them address multiple roster needs without being stuck at the top.

If the Browns do trade back and land in front of the Steelers, it would throw a serious wrench into Pittsburgh's hopes of Sanders falling to them at 21. As it stands, it’s difficult to see the Steelers making a trade-up move to secure Sanders, which means they’ll have to rely on the cards falling their way. If Cleveland jumps ahead, Pittsburgh’s chances of getting the quarterback they hope for would diminish significantly, as Sanders would likely be off the board.

Browns Could Ruin The Steelers' 2025 Draft Plans

Moreover, trading back would make sense for Cleveland from a roster-building standpoint. While they might miss out on top prospects like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter, they could still secure a player they value at a lower pick and recoup some much-needed draft capital. This would help the Browns address their immediate needs while potentially giving them the flexibility to add more depth to their roster in the future. It’s a move that could both shake up the draft and disrupt Pittsburgh’s plans at the same time.

The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a fascinating and unpredictable one, with significant uncertainty surrounding many key positions. How the board falls, especially with teams like the Browns potentially making moves, will have a major impact on what the Steelers do at pick 21. Pittsburgh’s strategy will largely depend on how other teams approach their selections, making this draft one to watch closely as the first round unfolds.

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