NFL Analysts Believes Steelers Could Shift To This Draft Direction

The Steelers have multiple holes to fill on the roster, which leaves interesting possibilities with the 21st overall pick.

Pittsburgh’s need for a quarterback opened up the tantalizing possibility of it drafting Shedeur Sanders if he fell that low in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe also entered the conversation despite being projected as Day 2 picks. Of course, the Aaron Rodgers situation complicates how the Steelers would use their first-round pick.

ESPN’s Field Yates went in a different direction in his final mock draft Thursday when he had the Steelers selecting running back Omarion Hampton.

“We can’t ignore the possibility of a quarterback, as the Steelers continue to wait on Aaron Rodgers — especially with Sanders still on the board. But the sense I’ve gotten in recent days is Pittsburgh could go another direction,” Yates wrote. “Running back is a glaring hole, and we know offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has an affinity for power backs who can handle a big workload. Hampton is a Day 1 starter.”

Pittsburgh let Najee Harris walk and sign with the Los Angeles Chargers. It has Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kenneth Gainwell, Jonathan Ward and Evan Hull on the active roster. Patterson’s age is a concern, and Ward and Hull likely are practice squad players at best. Hampton could be the running back Mike Tomlin desires while utilizing Warren and Gainwell situationally.

The Steelers are in a spot where their pick will depend on how the rest of the draft plays out. That will dictate whether or not Pittsburgh looks to the future or drafts someone who could start right away.