With their very important first round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to strengthen their defensive line, adding defensive tackle Derrick Harmon to their roster. This move to bolster their trenches with such an important pick has sparked widespread debate and left a lot of fans questioning the team's strategy. Notably, the Steelers had been considered a top landing spot for Shedeur Sanders, one of the draft's most highly rated quarterback prospects.
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Former Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
During the NFL Draft coverage, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport offered some valuable perspective that may shed some light as to why the Steelers' decided to ultimately pass on selecting Sanders. Rapoport provided insights into the internal discussions and potential points of confusion within the Steelers organization, as well as outlining some of the specific concerns that may have led them to pass on the highly-regarded quarterback.
"As of yesterday, they were going back and forth; is the value worth it, split in the room," Rapoport shared.
The situation surrounding Sanders' draft stock was very interesting in the lead up to the NFL Draft. Numerous reports suggested an unusually wide range for his potential selection, with some projecting him as high as the third overall pick, while others indicated a possible slide into the later rounds – a scenario that ultimately happened. Following the Steelers' decision to pass on Sanders at the 21st pick, he remained unselected as the first round concluded. Of course, Sanders still has the other two days of the draft to find a team.
While falling to the later rounds might seem significant, it doesn't mean Sanders can't be successful in the NFL; rather, it simply reflects the varied priorities and immediate needs that different teams must address. Notably, only two quarterbacks were chosen in the first round: Cameron Ward, who went first overall to the Tennessee Titans, and Jaxson Dart, selected 25th overall after a trade allowed the New York Giants to acquire an additional first-round pick. This is very different from last year's NFL Draft, where six quarterbacks were selected with the first 12 picks.
NFL.com
Quarterback Cameron Ward is selected as the first overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
It's intriguing that the perceived value of Sanders appears to be the primary factor that deterred the Steelers, especially considering the widespread skepticism regarding his actual skill level. The perception of him being an overrated prospect, possibly due to his connection to NFL legend Deion Sanders, his father and college coach, further complicates the situation. Adding another layer of intrigue, are the recent comparisons drawn between Sanders and former Steelers' first-round draft pick, Kenny Pickett. Pickett was selected 20th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, with the organization hoping he would evolve into their next franchise quarterback, filling the shoes of the iconic Ben Roethlisberger.
Given how the situation with Pickett ultimately unfolded, with his trade to the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2023 NFL season, the Steelers likely wanted to avoid a similar outcome. Furthermore, numerous reports have indicated that this year's class of quarterback prospects is not considered as strong overall compared to previous years. This resembles the assessment made of Pickett's draft class, likely contributing to some reservations within the Steelers organization regarding the true value and potential of a quarterback like Sanders.
The Steelers Have More Draft Selections To Make
Following their first-round selection, the Steelers now face a long wait until their next opportunity to pick. As a result of the offseason trade that brought veteran wide receiver DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh, the team currently does not possess a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While the addition of Metcalf undoubtedly strengthens their receiving options, the absence of a second-round pick is important, particularly when considering the caliber of players still available on the draft board. However, the Steelers do have their selections in every other round, providing them with ample opportunities to further enhance their roster with promising talent.
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DK Metcalf during his time with the Seahawks.
It's important to note that Sanders wasn't the only quarterback prospect the Steelers were reportedly considering. Therefore, the fact that they passed on Sanders in the first round doesn't necessarily stop them from selecting a quarterback at some point during this NFL Draft. The Steelers' ultimate strategy remains unknown, and only time will reveal their final decisions.
We encourage you to share your own predictions about what the Steelers will do in the comments section below!
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