The Steelers decided not to draft a quarterback in the first round, but Shedeur Sanders remains on the board heading into Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh used the 21st pick to select Derrick Harmon, a defensive tackle who fills a need for Mike Tomlin’s side. However, analysts and experts projected the Steelers to take a quarterback since they don’t have a viable starter on the roster.
Sanders often was projected to go to the Steel City, and the Colorado product didn’t get drafted in the first round. That will be the story Friday night, and ESPN’s Field Yates made the case for why the Steelers are still a viable destination for the quarterback.
“I believe the Steelers at least pondered picking Sanders at No. 21 overall,” Yates wrote in a roundtable column. “Though they do not own a second-round pick, a maneuver to get into position to select him — however high that needs to be — could still be possible, dipping into draft capital in 2026. Unless Aaron Rodgers agrees to a deal by the time Round 2 begins, the Steelers have a massive question mark under center.”
Pittsburgh traded its second-round pick to acquire DK Metcalf. Rodgers’ decision remains unknown, so if the Steelers feel like it’s worth it, they could try to trade into the second round to draft Sanders. It’s possible they weren’t high on the 23-year-old based on mixed reporting about how their meeting with him went. The Steelers reportedly also met with Jalen Milroe. However, they reportedly aren’t very high on Milroe.
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The next Steelers pick heading into Day 2 is No. 83 in the third round.
Featured image via Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images