6 hours Ago By Dharya Sharma
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be in the market for a quarterback this offseason, as Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will be unrestricted free agents this offseason, and there's no guarantee either player will be on the team in 2025. Pittsburgh could look towards free agency to address the position, but Seahawks Draft Blog's Rob Staton predicts the Steelers will select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the No.21 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
"He lacks great physical traits," Staton wrote. "He hasn't done anything at the Shrine or Senior Bowl. He's going to come with a bit of a media circus and an opinionated dad.
It's entirely possible he lasts longer than people realize. This might work out well for him — I doubt Coach Prime will test Mike Tomlin at his weekly press conference." Sanders falling to pick 21 is unlikely, as there are multiple quarterback-needy teams ahead of Pittsburgh, and the Texas native is expected to be a top-10 selection.
However, if Sanders is somehow on the board when the Steelers are on the clock in Round 1, this should be a no-brainer for general manager Omar Khan. The 22-year-old was one of the most efficient and accurate quarterbacks in the nation during his two-year career at Colorado. Sanders posted 27 touchdowns to just three interceptions in 2023 and 37 touchdowns to ten interceptions with a 74% completion rate in 2024.
The Jackson State transfer also led the Buffaloes to a bowl game appearance last season. Here's more on Sanders from ESPN's NFL draft analyst Matt Miller: With pinpoint accuracy, toughness in the pocket and field vision that allows him to make plays to every level of the field, Sanders has emerged as one of the class' top quarterbacks. He turned the ball over more this season, but Sanders played with better pocket poise and timing.
There will be time for Sanders to clean up some of his bad habits -- throwing late over the middle and holding onto the ball for too long -- but his accuracy and ability to make off-platform plays from different arm angles are standout traits. -- Miller Though Sanders isn't a dynamic athlete and is the most polarizing prospect in the draft, Pittsburgh would be foolish to pass on the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner if he's on the board at No.21.
Sanders could finally be the Steelers' long-term solution at the sport's most vital position and give Pittsburgh a bona fide franchise quarterback for the first time since the prime years of Ben Roethlisberger. MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS Steelers insider refutes Pittsburgh's rumored interest in Jalen Milroe Steelers predicted to lose projected $77 million pending free agent to division rival Steelers predicted to throw late-round dart at 6'5, 70-TD quarterback Steelers predicted to sign $100 million 5-time Pro Bowl playmaker.
