Mel Kiper Jr. says Steelers should be 'aggressive' in pursuing Shedeur Sanders in NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been searching for a long-term solution at the quarterback position since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season. Kenny Pickett wasn’t the answer. Justin Fields opted to head elsewhere in free agency. The Steelers own the No. 21 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft; could Shedeur Sanders fall that far?

It’s possible, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Tuesday, though it’s far from guaranteed with a team like the New Orleans Saints picking at No. 9. But if Sanders is still on the board in the middle of the first round, Kiper believes Pittsburgh should be aggressive and make a move for the Colorado quarterback.

“I think they would see too much Kenny Pickett with Jaxson Dart,” Kiper said on Get Up. “Not enough greatness potential there but Shedeur is the interesting one because if gets in that middle portion of Round 1… it’ll be interesting if he gets past New Orleans [at No. 9]. When you look at where we are right now with the Steelers, they’ve gone 21 years since they’ve had a losing season, but they’ve gone nine years without winning a playoff game. So, it’s all about quarterback play. Terry Bradshaw, Ben Roethlisberger and then what else?

“I thought Justin Fields was going to be their guy. I did not think they would let Justin Fields leave the building. He wanted to be in the same offense two straight years, and he’s not afforded that opportunity. It left me scratching my head. … But the Steelers have to be aggressive because if Shedeur gets to the middle of the first round, I do believe you could see maybe the Giants or somebody else go up and get him ahead of them. So, it’ll be interesting to see if they wait to see if he falls in their lap or if they make a move to get Shedeur Sanders.”

Mel Kiper Jr. pounds the table for Shedeur Sanders

The Steelers don’t have much ammunition to make a move. They are without a second-round pick. Their next-highest pick after 21 is 83 in the third round. But then again, Pittsburgh needs a guy. Aaron Rodgers is still available on the free agency market and is taking his time in making a decision. Essentially, it’s Steelers or bust.

Even if the 41-year-old Rodgers signs with the Steelers, it doesn’t solve their long-term question at the position. Sanders fits the bill and is Kiper’s No. 1 ranked quarterback prospect. There’s no question Sanders is talented. As a senior at Colorado this past season, he led the nation with a 74% completion percentage. Sanders also totaled 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, along with just 10 interceptions on 477 pass attempts.

Kiper is high on Sanders, believing he’ll be a Hall of Fame player when it’s all said and done. But will he be wearing black and gold?

“When you look at Travis Hunter, he’s No. 1 on my board since August. That’s never changed. I’ve been big on Hunter, I’m big on Shedeur Sanders,” Kiper said. “I’ll go down fighting on both of these Colorado Buffaloes. I think both these kids will be Hall of Famers.”