The Steelers were likely this close to having the opportunity to draft Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft — but their AFC North rivals, the Cleveland Browns — who now have a five-man QB room — traded up to select him.
Sanders will now join a QB room with the likes of Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow draft classmate, third-rounder Dillon Gabriel.
During Cleveland’s Day 3 Draft Press Conference, Browns GM Andrew Berry shared why the Sanders selection made sense:
“Once it got to a point where it felt like it was at a pretty steep discount, especially relative to the alternative ways we could use the selection, [selecting Sanders] made the most sense.”
It was this “steep discount” in the fifth that the Browns likely refused to let fall to the Steelers at Pick No. 156 — and preventing him from falling to Pittsburgh was certainly one of the “alternative ways” the selection was justifiable — right?
The Browns passed on Sanders for almost five rounds — drafting two running backs, a tight end, and Gabriel, whose selection makes even less sense now.
Clearly, the Steelers weren’t satisfied with who was then available post-Browns trade, as they would move back from Pick No. 156. Preventing the Steelers from drafting a talented QB late is a smart strategy, but it will likely backfire on Cleveland.
Pittsburgh still ended up with one of their preferred players in QB Will Howard, and now the Browns must either run a less-than-ideal four-man QB room in 2025 — or release the newly signed Joe Flacco, who is the only veteran QB on the roster.
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