The Pittsburgh Steelers have quickly become the most popular landing spot for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, especially amid rumors that suggest he could fall further down in the first round than he was previously expected to.
Even though the Steelers are at the forefront of the Aaron Rodgers chase, picking Sanders remains a realistic and viable option. If Pittsburgh doesn't take Sanders, his fall in the first round could be even more embarrassing than previously expected. Day 2 could be a possibility.
According to CBS Sports insider Jonathan Jones, there is a "very good chance" that Sanders is not taken in the first round of the Draft. Jones did, however, mention that the Steelers would be a "logical" landing spot for the former Buffaloes quarterback due to the presence of Mike Tomlin.
Daniel Jeremiah, who is as plugged in as they come, believes that if the Steelers do not take Sanders at No. 21 overall, he could fall out of the first round entirely despite teams at the top half of the second round often moving into the back of the first to secure the fifth-year option on a quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders could fall out of Round 1 if Steelers don't draft him
Sanders has reportedly rubbed some folks the wrong way in interviews due to his personality. Even if that factor is taken out of the equation, Sanders has some concerning warts in his game that could make him a tough sell for teams that want to build their entire operation around him.
Sanders has earned some poor reviews with regard to his overall arm talent and propensity for taking too many sacks. However, there are just as many positive traits he has that could make him someone Tomlin can mold into a franchise quarterback.
Sanders has incredible accuracy down the field, and he is a very quick processor. Running a professional offense should not be a challenge to Sanders, who has been mentored by a Hall of Fame player and successful coach in his father throughout his football career.
Sanders is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it's easy to see a way in which his football brain and deadeye accuracy end up carrying him to a very long career in the pros. Time will tell if Pittsburgh will be the setting for all of his best NFL moments.