As the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft came to a close, one of the biggest surprises wasn’t just who was selected, but who wasn’t. Highly touted quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders remains on the board heading into Day 2, a stunning development that reshaped the quarterback landscape and left the Pittsburgh Steelers in a uniquely favorable position.
Many analysts had projected Sanders to be the second quarterback off the board, especially after Cam Ward was selected early by the Tennessee Titans. But that narrative was turned when the New York Giants made a late-round trade with the Houston Texans to acquire the 25th overall pick.
Rather than taking Sanders, the Giants stunned viewers by selecting Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss, a move that echoed a growing trend throughout the night—teams were hesitant to invest in Sanders in the first round.
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This unexpected slide has changed everything for the Steelers. Pittsburgh passed on a quarterback with their 21st pick and instead secured a top-tier defensive talent in Derrick Harmon, a move praised for its discipline and long-term value.
The Pittsburgh Steelers patiently earned the best scenario for a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft
With Sanders still available, the Steelers are in a unique scenario. They can land their future quarterback without sacrificing high draft capital.
While Sanders will dominate headlines heading into Day 2, another name quietly gaining momentum is Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. If Sanders is selected early in the second round, Pittsburgh may find itself in an elite position to grab Milroe in the third. And honestly, that might be the better fit.
Milroe is an elite athlete with an exciting ceiling. Though still raw, his arm strength, mobility, and playmaking instincts draw comparisons to Lamar Jackson. For a Steelers team looking to reclaim the AFC North, Milroe could be the X-factor they’ve been searching for—a quarterback who can extend plays, attack defenses with his legs, and grow into a dangerous dual-threat weapon.
If Pittsburgh continues to exercise patience, it may come out of this draft not only with a defensive cornerstone in Harmon but also a quarterback like Milroe, who has the tools to match the electric play of division rivals. The Steelers will not rush the process this time. The right quarterback is still within reach—and Jalen Milroe might be the one.