The NFL draft has wrapped up, and the Steelers added seven rookies to their roster. As has become commonplace in the Omar Khan era, the draft on paper looks like a great one. The team filled needs across the board and added great talent in most rounds.
Mel Kiper, however, seems to think that the Steelers have lost their minds. As we all saw this weekend, the Shedeur Sanders fall wasn’t overstated. Once viewed as a lock to go in the top five, Sanders ended up falling to the fifth round. This had to be one of the biggest draft collapses in the history of the event.
Kiper was irate with Sanders' fall, claiming that it was due to his being more of a pocket passer without the elite mobility some prospects have. It became an obsession for the long-time draft analyst.
With the Steelers needing a quarterback, Kiper was quick to add to how bad a choice it was for the team to pass on Sanders.
It seemed like every pick had an asterisk next to it. Sure, the player was a good fit, but Pittsburgh needed to draft Sanders. It shows just how far Kiper has fallen in recent years.
Mel Kiper was wrong about the Pittsburgh Steelers
Frankly, the Steelers should look like geniuses right now. It is clear that the rest of the league was down on Sanders, and had the team used any of their early picks on him, it would have been a waste.
I can’t say what the issue is. Personally, I didn’t love his tape and think he lacks the traits to be a great starter. I do see a low-end starter, though, and I feel like his fall has to be more because of character issues than anything else.
READ MORE: Steelers missed out on a 'Golden' opportunity in Round 1 of the NFL Draft
Pittsburgh, instead, revamped its front seven with some massive additions. Derrick Harmon should fit right in as a defensive end. Jack Sawyer had received some first-round hype but seemed like a safe day two pick as an edge rusher. Yahya Black can serve as a traditional nose tackle.
They also landed two intriguing offensive options. Kaleb Johnson should quickly make an impact in the running back rotation. Will Howard was a good quarterback prospect who has a floor as a backup.
Kiper wanted the Steelers to reach on another quarterback. Instead, this team learned its lesson from the 2022 draft class and built up other positions. Kiper seems foolish given the amount of hate he directed at the team.