The Pittsburgh Steelers obviously need another quarterback, as they only have two players on the roster in that room. They will almost certainly draft one this week, but the rumor mill is flying rapidly. They supposedly love Shedeur Sanders, even though his stock is falling hard as more questions arise about his playing ability and character concerns. They also apparently are very fond of numerous Day 3-level prospects that would be quality backups at best to most pundits. Nothing will be set in stone until draft day rolls around, however.
David Zalubowski / Associated Press
Former University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders looking downfield for a receiver.
Another prospect that has been linked to the Steelers nonstop is Jalen Milroe, who the team took out to dinner around the time of his Pro Day. Many reports claim that Pittsburgh has a first-round grade on him. Head Coach Mike Tomlin does love players from the Alabama Crimson Tide in general, so that's not too much of a surprise.
Insider Mike DeFabo has been adamant however, that that is not actually the case, and his sources keep telling him that.
I continue to hear the opposite of what most are reporting on Jalen Milroe. Would highly doubt the Steelers draft him Day 1 or Day 2 (round 3).
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) April 23, 2025
Milroe is one of the more polarizing quarterbacks in this class. Some analysts believe that his upside and talent make him worth a first-round pick, while others see him dropping to the middle rounds due to his lack of stellar mechanics and length of time it would take to develop him into a quality quarterback at the pro level. His stock is all over the place, but he clearly believes that he will be selected high, as he has accepted his invite to the NFL Draft in person in Green Bay, WI.
If the Steelers were to select the Alabama prospect, it would be safe to assume that he would be the backup throughout the entire season, no matter which round they draft him in. He has a lot of talent, but he is still very raw and not ready to take on the starter job just yet.
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University of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe on the run during a collegiate football game.
Tomlin is enamored with the likes of Lamar Jackson, whom Milroe is compared to. Jackson's chip on his shoulder and his dual-threat abilities have led to him winning two NFL MVP Awards while leading the Baltimore Ravens to an AFC Championship Game appearance. In a division full of talented quarterbacks, Tomlin may want to find his own version of that, even if that player won't be ready immediately.
Of course, with a weak quarterback class, the Steelers have to question Milroe's ceiling, and how high it really is. If a Kenny Pickett-like prospect like Sanders is seen as the second-best prospect in the position, how could a lower-level rookie be seen as a potential top-tier passer someday? That could influence the Steelers' decision to pass on him, at least early on.
Steelers May Keep Their Eye On Milroe After Round 1
Just because the Steelers could pass on Milroe in favor of another position doesn't mean they won't watch him and hope he falls to them at a certain point. DeFabo doesn't even think Pittsburgh wants him in Round 3. If he falls further than that, they may be interested enough to take a shot on him in the fourth round or later.
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Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe during a college game.
There are certainly worse fourth-round options than a high-risk high-reward quarterback. Drafting him that low also helps take the pressure off of the Steelers to rush him into the starting role. At best, they have their future franchise quarterback, and it cost them relatively nothing. At worst, they have a wildcat quarterback that can add an extra dimension to the running game.
What do you think about the Steelers reportedly not wanting to draft Milroe early on? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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