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Shedeur Sanders Falls in NFL Mock Draft, Predicted To Replace 10-Time Pro Bowl QB

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Feb 24, 2025 11:08 AM ET

Going into the 2025 NFL Draft, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is widely thought of as one of the top two quarterbacks available.

Since he plays what is considered to be the most important position on a football team, there's become a strong possibility he's taken off the board early and, for some, is even in play to be the No. 1 pick.

However, in a mock draft done by WIll Helms of College Sports Network, he predicts that Sanders will fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers stop the drop for former Colorado Buffaloes star Shedeur Sanders," he wrote. "A high floor quarterback, Sanders’ issues against pressure could discourage teams earlier in the first round, especially given Caleb Williams’ early struggles with the same issues."

That means Sanders is put into a position to 10-time Pro Bowler quarterback Russell Wilson, who served as the team's main starter in 2024 but is getting ready to hit free agency.

It would also put him in line to be the Steelers' Week 1 starter because the only quarterback on the roster going into 2025 is Skylar Thompson, who has only started three games in his career.

If Sanders is able to replicate his 2024 season, completing 353-of-477 passes for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, he could prove to be the spark to help Pittsburgh improve past the wild-card round, which they haven't done since 2017, despite four playoff appearances.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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