Steelers have first-round grade on Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

The Steelers have a first-round grade on Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, though that does not mean they’ll prioritize the position over other needs in next week’s draft.

Instead, Dulac writes that Pittsburgh will likely target a defensive lineman or even a running back with its first-round pick. Both positions have projected top-10 picks (Michigan’s Mason Graham, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty) who are not expected to fall to the Steelers with multiple second-tier talents that should be available at No. 21.

The team’s defensive line targets include Georgia’s Walter Nolen, Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, and Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, per Dulac. At running back, Pittsburgh could target North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton or Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson, though it may wait until Day 2 to pick from a deep class.

Pittsburgh used 17 of its top-30 predraft visits on defensive linemen and running backs, another indication that its first-round pick will target one of the two positions.

The Steelers’ top brass also did its homework on this year’s quarterback class. They have a first-round grade on Dart and "really like" Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, per Dulac, making both potential options with the 21st pick if the talent at DL and RB thins out. The team also scouted several Day 2 quarterbacks via pro days and top-30 visits.

Ultimately, though, it’s hard to believe that the Steelers would pass up the opportunity to draft a potential franchise quarterback after cycling through a half-dozen starters since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. They may still sign Aaron Rodgers to start this year, but they have no long-term options on the roster and a clear desire to add one. It would be strange to have first-round grades on Dart and potentially Sanders, but prioritize other positions when quarterback is such a dire need in 2025 and beyond.