The Pittsburgh Steelers had several opportunities to select Shedeur Sanders, but based on a pre-draft assessment from a former player, it appears that the Steelers made a wise decision.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had an opportunity to clarify the uncertainty regarding their future at the quarterback position this past weekend during the NFL Draft. Some believed that implied their choice of Shedeur Sanders with the No. 21 overall selection in the draft.
Pittsburgh overlooked him and also failed to discover a long-term solution for the position. Instead, they focused on addressing nearly all the other requirements on the roster, bypassing Sanders at each opportunity.
Perhaps in the years ahead, they will appear foolish while their highly-regarded rival, the Cleveland Browns, will receive acclaim for discovering a hidden gem.
However, the link between Sanders and the Steelers prior to the draft was already unstable. As per one ex-Steeler, it appears the team made the correct decision in his opinion.
Only days prior to the draft, Merril Hoge was on WDVE radio in Pittsburgh, presenting his argument for why Sanders isn’t a suitable quarterback for the professional level. “I believe the best way to describe him is that he’s an excellent college quarterback: his accuracy is solid, and his decision-making is strong,” Hoge stated.
“When I refer to good, I mean on a scale from 1 to 10, where good is roughly a five…. being a five means you’re not a first-round pick.” You’re not suited for franchises.
Hoge explained how Colorado’s system safeguarded Sanders and that the player’s natural ability falls short compared to the recently chosen first-round quarterback stars. If this former Steelers player shared the same viewpoint in the war room, it’s understandable why the team reached this conclusion.
“That’s the expertise you need,” Hoge stated. “He isn’t anywhere near, he’s not even in the same realm…” I appreciate his toughness, but the way he moves doesn’t instill fear in anyone.
It’s difficult to dispute that. It could take some time before he steps onto a football field during the regular season. Sanders will need to climb the depth chart since he is currently fifth in line.
As speculation circulates about the reasons for his decline, it is clear that something in his profile caused 32 teams, including the Browns, to hesitate repeatedly on a player deemed a first-round talent by certain experts.
Regardless of the situation, Sanders’ fall in the draft pleased the expectations of his skeptics. The circumstances he must navigate make the path to glory even harder.
If Sanders achieves anything in Cleveland, it will involve a lengthy process with significant changes. Ideally, during that period, the Steelers will discover their own quarterback solutions and won’t be regretting missed opportunities.