Draft Expert Thinks Steelers Draft Plans Hinge on Aaron Rodgers’ Decision
NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah believes who the Pittsburgh Steelers select in the first round depends on Aaron Rodgers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could go several different ways with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah believes it depends on what free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers decides to do.
If Rodgers doesn’t make his decision by the draft, decides to play elsewhere or retires, Jeremiah thinks quarterback is very much in play for the Steelers at pick No. 21.
“I think if Jaxson Dart’s there, I think there’s a conversation,” Jeremiah said on “Up & Adams.” “If Shedeur’s (Sanders) there, there’s a conversation.”
The Steelers are reportedly among the teams who have been talking to Dart the most. The 21-year-old has been rising up draft boards over the past couple of months after throwing for 10,617 yards, 72 touchdowns and 22 interceptions during his three years at Mississippi. He also rushed for 1,500 yards and 12 more scores.
However, many believe Dart would be a reach since he is currently the consensus No. 32 overall player on the NFL Mock Draft Database big board.
Sanders, on the other hand, is likely out of reach from Pittsburgh as the consensus No. 4 overall prospect and second-best quarterback in the class after throwing for 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns and 13 interceptions over the past two seasons at Colorado.
The Steelers seem to agree, too, after they decided to not send their top brass to his Colorado pro day.
If Rodgers does ultimately end up in Pittsburgh, which many believe is a “safe bet,” Jeremiah believes adding to his arsenal of weapons will be the choice.
“I just feel like if the Aaron Rodgers thing gets done, which everybody’s kind of expecting it does get done, I think they try and get another player to help him on that side of the ball,” Jeremiah said. “I think, to me, you’re looking at another weapon, whether that’s Emeka Egbuka, someone like that.”
Egbuka has been arguably the most popular name tabbed to the Steelers during the pre-draft cycle. He showcased his reliable hands with just a 2.8 percent drop rate in 2024 while recording a career-high 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior on Ohio State’s national championship-winning team.
The 22-year-old is also the Buckeyes’ all-time leading receiver in the categories of receptions (205) and receiving yards (2,868).
Either way, the Steelers have put all of their eggs in the Aaron Rodgers basket. So Jeremiah thinks they’re going to do whatever it takes to make it look like they made the right decision.
“I would think if you’re going to make that commitment and go out on that ledge and do the Aaron Rodgers thing after sitting out on some of these other quarterbacks, Geno Smith and Sam Darnold,” Jeremiah said. “Man, you’ve got to get somebody that’s going to make that decision look smart.”