As the free fall was happening, it felt inexplicable.
How was Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, a projected first-round pick, not being drafted in the first, the second, the third or even the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft?
At the time, one team that many tabbed as a possible destination was the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their quarterback future was uncertain. Even if Sanders wouldn't be an immediate starter, maybe he'd make sense for their long-term plans.
But the Steelers, like every other team in the NFL, chose to go elsewhere for four rounds.
Pittsburgh did end up taking Ohio State's Will Howard in the sixth round.
Sanders went off the board in the fifth round, No. 144 overall, to the Cleveland Browns.
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On Sunday in Week 11, Sanders finally made his NFL debut, coming on in relief for the concussed Dillon Gabriel.
He struggled immensely, completing just 4-of-16 passes with an interception and two sacks.
And while in some ways that may serve as vindication of every team, it especially feels true for the Steelers.
There was legitimate wondering among the Pittsburgh fanbase during the draft as to why they didn't take Sanders when it appeared he was just falling into their lap.
This is why.
Sanders could still put together a solid NFL future, but teams evidently recognized he wasn't as ready as draft analysts suggested.
Pittsburgh stayed away, and Sanders ended up with a divisional foe instead. It doesn't seem likely to be a choice the Steelers regret.
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