While the Cleveland Browns were previously named by one analyst as the best “fit” for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, recent reports have strongly suggested that Cleveland will take Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter over Sanders with the second overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
During Monday’s edition of the FS1 “First Things First” program, former Pro Bowl wide receiver and current analyst Greg Jennings reacted to those who are predicting that the Pittsburgh Steelers will be able to get Sanders with the draft’s 21st overall selection.
“Culture-wise, stability, this would be an ideal situation,” Jennings said about a possible Sanders-Pittsburgh marriage, as shared by Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. “…He would be starting with great weapons with what they have currently, as it stands. (Wide receiver) George Pickens on one side, DK Metcalf; you’ve got a solid running game. You’ve got some veteran leadership with the offensive line. You have a culture that understands how to win.”
The win-now Steelers will reportedly hold onto Pickens through the summer, even though he is in the final year of his rookie contract and likely won’t receive a lucrative extension after Pittsburgh recently gave Metcalf a five-year deal worth $150M.
Individuals within the Steelers seem confident that a rookie such as Sanders will spend the upcoming season sitting behind future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, but it’s worth noting that Rodgers has dealt with numerous significant physical setbacks each year since 2022.
As for Pittsburgh’s culture, head coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season since he accepted the job in 2007. Granted, the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 campaign, but it sounds like Tomlin is nevertheless safe in his job for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith features a run-heavy scheme that could make life easier for a first-year quarterback tasked with serving as a fill-in starter this coming fall.
In his latest mock draft posted on Tuesday morning, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that the New Orleans Saints will select Sanders at pick No. 9. Kiper added in that article that an interested team such as the Steelers could make a trade to leapfrog the Saints in the draft order to grab the polarizing prospect, but Pittsburgh may be able to stay put if Sanders gets past New Orleans on the night of April 24.
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