The Shedeur Sanders buzz to the Pittsburgh Steelers is louder than ever, and for good reason. Following the 2024 college football season, it seemed like a pipe dream to mock Shedeur to the Steelers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but now this feels realistic.
On April 15, Jeff Hathhorn spoke on 93.7 The Fan, where he suggested that there is 'mutual interest' between the Steelers and Sanders.
"There is mutual respect, mutual interest [in Shedeur Sanders]," Hathhorn said on 93.7 The Fan. "I think it starts with his father [Deion Sanders] and then trickles down to the son. Listen, it's no secret the Steelers are interested in a quarterback, that they need a quarterback, and Shedeur is high on their list."
It's not surprising to see the Steelers value strong family bloodlines, and it only helps Shedeur's case that he's the son of a Hall of Fame legend. After Hathhorn made these comments, Dorin Dickerson chimed in with
"I firmly believe that if Shedeur is there at 21, that the Steelers will take him," Dickerson said. "Like, I'm almost certain that that is going to be the case."
There's reason to believe that Pittsburgh is interested in Sanders, beyond just taking Hathhorn and Dickerson at their words. The Steelers reportedly had a formal visit with the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback at the NFL Combine before bringing him in for a top-30 pre-draft visit. Last year, players who earned a 30-visit from Pittsburgh were the best predictor of who they would go on to draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could select Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft
Based on the evidence of Pittsburgh's interests and their massive need at the quarterback position, it would be surprising to see the Steelers pass on Sheduer Sanders at pick 21 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Of course, there's no guarantee he makes it that far.
Sanders could still wind up being a top-10 pick when it's all said and done. However, if he makes it past the first three picks in the draft, a colossal slide could ensue for the polarizing quarterback.
The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants both need a franchise quarterback, but they may not be willing to pass on the top prospects in the draft like Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter—especially considering quarterback Cam Ward is already expected to be off the board to the Tennessee Titans.
If Sanders falls past the Browns and Giants, some suspect the Saints could take him at pick 9. But even after the news about Derek Carr's shoulder injury, The Athletic's NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler doesn't believe New Orleans is interested in Sanders. From pick 10 to pick 21, there are hardly any teams that could use a franchise quarterback, and Sanders could fall all the way to Pittsburgh.
But if the Steelers really love Sanders, do they just hope he falls into their lap?
There's always a chance a team like the Browns or Giants can jump back up from early in the second round to leapfrog the Steelers to take Sanders. Though Pittsburgh is short on draft capital this year after the DK Metcalf trade, general manager Omar Khan could even decide to move up a few picks in the draft if Sanders falls within striking distance.
Fans and analysts alike have mixed reviews on Shedeur Sanders, and he's not guaranteed to work out as a franchise quarterback with only an average collection of physical tools. Still, the Pittsburgh Steelers are desperate for quarterback help, and rarely are they picking high enough to take a player like Sanders.
The interest in Sanders appears to be real, and this could end up being their first selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.