The Pittsburgh Steelers made a strong choice within the first spherical of the draft Thursday night time, taking DL Derrick Harmon. The Oregon product is an thrilling prospect the Steelers had been clearly joyful to take as he fills a serious want. Nonetheless, their lack of motion on the QB place has annoyed many, particularly ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Throughout ESPN’s pre-draft protection on Friday, the Steelers’ 2025 win complete on ESPN Guess was listed at 8.5, and it gave Kiper yet one more alternative to bang the drum for QB Shedeur Sanders, who fell out of the primary spherical of the draft.
“I’m gonna take the Steelers’ beneath,” Kiper mentioned. “I like a few of the issues they’ve executed. DK Metcalf, we’ve received three younger offensive lineman we like. However Mason Rudolph, proper now, is the beginning quarterback. So I’m gonna say, till we see what occurs with Shedeur Sanders and what they will do the remainder of the draft, I’ll go beneath on the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
The 8.5-win complete feels low for a Steelers workforce that received 10 a 12 months in the past. Particularly contemplating that they misplaced their final 5. Nonetheless, Kiper isn’t improper that Rudolph could be the starter proper now. That’s not precisely the situation the Steelers would have envisioned heading into the offseason.
There’s nonetheless loads of time till coaching camp begins in late-July. The Steelers reportedly requested Aaron Rodgers for a choice earlier than the draft. They clearly didn’t get one. However the truth that they went for Harmon with basically each QB out there indicators a good degree of confidence that they are going to ultimately land Rodgers.
There are additionally six extra rounds nonetheless to go. Except for Jaxson Dart, each different QB they’ve had their eyes on has fallen to Day 2. The Steelers don’t have a second-round decide, however within the third spherical there ought to nonetheless be some strong choices.
Kiper was particularly crucial of the Steelers for passing on Shedeur Sanders within the first spherical. He apparently carried a few of that very same angst into Friday as nicely. He thinks it could be “ridiculous” if the Steelers are fortunate sufficient to have Sanders drop to them within the third.
“If he falls to [No.] 83 of their lap, and so they don’t have a second-round decide ’trigger they gave it up for DK Metcalf, that’s ridiculous,” Kiper mentioned. “To let him get to the Pittsburgh Steelers at [No.] 83, you gotta be kidding me.”
All issues thought-about, the Steelers passing on Sanders exhibits that they aren’t actually valuing the QB place as extremely as some anticipated. Passing on one within the first and never making a lot of an effort to maneuver into the second spherical actually makes it really feel like they’re relying on Rodgers. Pittsburgh might take a QB within the third spherical, although. And with the best way Sanders is falling thus far, it may be extra life like than we predict.
