When the NFL Network rolled out the red carpet for the Colorado NFL Showcase, many believed the Pittsburgh Steelers would have a slew of representatives on hand to watch quarterback Shedeur Sanders in action. Sanders is considered one of the top two quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he could slide within striking distance of a trade-up.
However, as Sanders was dropping dimes to Travis Hunter and his Colorado Buffaloes wide receivers, Pittsburgh's brass was busy hosting Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart for a pre-draft visit. This scheduling catastrophe should leave fans scratching their heads.
But there was one 'Sanders' the Steelers had their eye on at the Colorado NFL Showcase.
As Shedeur and Hunter drew the biggest crowd (and rightfully so), Shilo Sanders quietly had a solid workout as Steelers scout Kelvin Fisher looked on. Shilo, the older brother of Shedeur and son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, was a safety at Colorado who hopes to hear his name called on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could continue to value NFL bloodlines with Shilo Sanders in the NFL Draft
If there's one thing we know about Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers, is that they are suckers for prospects with strong family ties to the NFL. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the new front office of Omar Khan and Andy Weidl spent the 32nd overall pick on Joey Porter Jr. Just last year, the Steelers' roster consisted of two sets of brothers (Cam and Connor Heyward and Nick and Hate Herbig).
It's clear Tomlin loves players who grew up around football and live and breathe the game. For this reason, Shilo Sanders would make sense.
Sanders is only an average athlete by NFL standards, and he projects as a reserve safety in the NFL. But the Steelers have a need at the safety position, and Sanders could be had late in the draft, which makes the price right for a team looking to preserve their top draft capital for more pressing needs.
If drafted by the Steelers, Sanders would look to make the squad by carving out a role on special teams early in his career. Though it wasn't Pittsburgh's decision-makers who met with Sanders in Colorado, Steelers scouts are taking notice, and taking the son of an NFL legend would be the most Mike Tomlin move ever.