For fans hoping the Pittsburgh Steelers would address the interior defensive line in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, you got your wish. General manager Omar Khan wasted no time turning his card in for Oregon's Derrick Harmon. For those wishing the Steelers would have gone with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, you're probably not as happy today.
There were whispers that Sanders was going to slide in the first round of the NFL Draft, but most were shocked to see him fall out of Round 1 entirely. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh doesn't have a second-round pick to collect the pieces, and it's wildly unrealistic to believe he will be available when the Steelers are on the clock at pick 83 in the middle of the third round.
But don't count this team out on Shedeur just yet.
Despite Pittsburgh's lack of draft capital this year because of the DK Metcalf trade, Ian Rapoport mentioned during the draft that the Steelers could be willing to move back up into the second round to grab a quarterback they like. And that was before we realized how far Sanders would fall to Day 2.
With the Titans taking Cam Ward with the first pick in the draft and the Giants jumping back into the first round to land Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, the teams that could take a quarterback early in the second round seem limited.
The Cleveland Browns could certainly go this direction, but I've heard they like Jalen Milroe on Day 2. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders are a threat to take Sanders, who could sit behind veteran Geno Smith for a year. But after that, the slide could continue.
It doesn't appear the Saints like Shedeur, so they may pass on him for a second time at pick 40. However, there will be a breaking point where a quarterback-needy team takes a gamble on a potential franchise signal-caller.
Pittsburgh Steelers proposed mock trade with the Indianapolis Colts for pick No. 45
If the Pittsburgh Steelers can execute a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for pick No. 45, this could be the sweet spot to move up for a sliding Shedeur Sanders. After the Colts' second-round selection, the Rams are on the clock, and they could take a QB after missing out on Jaxson Dart.
A few picks later could be his floor. The Seattle Seahawks own the 50th and 52nd overall selections (the 52nd pick came from the Steelers in the DK Metcalf trade). Seattle can get out of Sam Darnold's contract after one season if things go south, and Sanders would make sense.
To get above these teams, the Steelers could offer a haul of draft picks for the No. 45 pick. Handing over pick No. 83, pick No. 123, a 2026 third- and a 2026 fifth-round pick is close to fair value on the NFL trade chart for pick No. 45. Pittsburgh may even be able to squeeze pick No. 189 in return, so that they aren't further shortchanged in draft selections this year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could land Shedeur Sanders if this mock trade comes to fruition
If Shedeur fell to the 45th overall pick, and the Steelers were able to execute this trade with the Indianapolis Colts, we would be looking at a draft haul that includes Derrick Harmon and Shedeur Sanders. And that's with already trading for Metcalf. Who would have thought that would have been possible back in February?
It's very possible Shedeur Sanders goes too early on Day 2 for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make a move up in the draft, but if he happens to slip, Omar Khan could attempt to execute a trade that would be a perfect, low-risk gamble for a potential franchise quarterback.