The Pittsburgh Steelers have a big decision to make in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. Of course, the main talk has been around the quarterback class and the Steelers’ clear need to find a long-term answer at the position. While many analysts consider this year’s class to be underwhelming, that hasn’t stopped Pittsburgh from putting in serious work. There could still be opportunities to find value, especially with a front office that’s shown a willingness to stay patient and pounce when the right guy is available.
Naturally, all eyes are on Shedeur Sanders—one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft. Some believe the Steelers would be getting a steal if he were to slip to the 21st overall pick, especially given his playmaking ability and upside. However, the latest reports suggest Sanders may not fall that far, and even if he does, it’s not a lock that Pittsburgh should pull the trigger. With other holes on the roster and lingering questions about his fit in the NFL, the decision isn’t as simple as it might seem on the surface.
According to NFL insider Albert Breer, it’s been difficult to find league evaluators who believe Sanders is truly worth a first-round pick. That kind of league-wide hesitation could give the Steelers serious pause. While Sanders has the name recognition and college production, there are concerns about how his game will translate, especially behind an offensive line that’s still a work in progress. The Steelers need a future franchise quarterback—but they also can’t afford to miss.
"I'm having a really hard time finding coaches or scouts who believe Sanders is a first-round talent," Breer said. "This, by the way, is separate from any issue anyone has with his personality. Those questions exist, but lots of teams have made exceptions in that department in the past to take on guys with special talents. The problem seems to be that too many folks don't think Sanders has those types of gifts. Now, it's not like Sanders is devoid of ability. Even his critics will tell you that he's accurate, smart and tough, and credit him for winning consistently at programs where it's hard to do that. There's production there that doesn't happen if a kid can't play."
Breer is a well-connected insider who has spoken with several key decision-makers, and the consensus among them is that Sanders is not viewed as a first-round talent.
This is interesting because if Sanders falls to 21st, many would see that as good value—but that’s not a sentiment shared by others around the league.
"The coach I was talking to said, simply, that when you watch those two under duress on tape, you see [Jaxson] Dart moving forward, and Sanders moving backward," Breer wrote. "That essentially means that where Dart would climb the pocket, Sanders would bail out of the back of it, and run away from defenders to create time to throw."
Sanders is an intriguing prospect, but not without concerns. One coach who spoke with Breer expressed doubts about Sanders’ ability to navigate the pocket effectively—something they believe could limit his success in the NFL. In college, Sanders played behind a poor offensive line, which made it difficult to get a true read on his quarterbacking skills.
At the same time, he benefited from a highly talented group of wide receivers, leading some evaluators to believe that much of the offense’s production came from the pass-catchers rather than Sanders himself.
Steelers Already Have 1 Team In The Way
Once projected as a likely top-five pick, Sanders has begun to slide in recent weeks. The New Orleans Saints are rumored to have interest in selecting him ninth overall, but if they pass, it could open a path for the Steelers to draft him at 21. Still, not everyone believes that would be a wise move for Pittsburgh.
As the draft approaches, Sanders remains one of the most polarizing prospects in this class. His physical tools and college production are undeniable, but questions about his decision-making, pocket presence, and how much credit he truly deserves for his offense's success continue to spark debate. If he does slip to the 21st pick, the Steelers will have a tough decision to make.
