Freefall! It’s never fun, especially when you’re the one plummeting. Just ask Shedeur Sanders.

A few months ago, his name was getting top-three buzz. That was for sure, at the very least. Some even threw out the No. 1 overall pick like it was a done deal. Then, the Raiders talk started heating up—Vegas seemed locked in at No. 6, ready to roll the dice. But guess what? The house always wins, and this time, it wasn’t Sanders cashing in.

Instead, the Raiders made a move for Geno Smith, bringing Pete Carroll’s former QB to Sin City. Seattle sent him packing for a third-round pick while dumping his entire $31 million contract onto Vegas. That trade didn’t just shake up the quarterback market—it sent Shedeur’s draft stock into a tailspin. The team many believed was his landing spot, just ghosted him for a veteran.

Now, his draft night just got a whole lot more unpredictable.

And that’s where the Steelers come in. Pittsburgh reporter Andrew Fillipponi threw out an idea that got people talking: “With Geno Smith in Vegas, maybe Shedeur Sanders will slip to the Steelers in the 1st round.” Steelers fans? Some were intrigued. Others were ready to throw a penalty flag on the thought. At pick No. 21, it’s a long shot. But if Sanders keeps sliding, do the Steelers take the gamble?

That depends on who you ask. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein’s latest mock draft has him dropping all the way to Pick 29, where the Browns trade up to grab him. “Sanders’ slide is over, as the Browns flip their No. 33 overall pick and an additional selection to the Commanders in order to take a swing at a QB of the future.”

The scouting reports are a mixed bag. The talent? Undeniable. The mechanics? Some concerns. The confidence? Off the charts.

But there’s no ignoring the fact that he holds onto the ball too long and will need time to adjust to NFL speed. Pittsburgh, a franchise built on tough, blue-collar football, doesn’t exactly scream “wait-and-see” when it comes to quarterback play.

And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: Russell Wilson. If the Steelers take Shedeur, what does that mean for Russ? Does Sanders sit and develop? Or does Pittsburgh throw him into the fire and watch what happens? There’s also the other factor—his last name.

Some fans see a young quarterback with untapped potential. Others see Deion’s son, a flashy player with an even flashier persona. Fair or not, that will be a debate. Well, maybe that might be the reason why some don’t even think he is cut from the cloth that could stand out in pro football.

What’s the reason for Shedeur Sanders’ plummeting stock?

Shedeur Sanders entered the draft with a built-in spotlight. Being Coach Prime’s son comes with instant credibility. But take away the last name—would he still be in the first-round conversation? That’s the real question. NFL teams aren’t just looking for “good” quarterbacks. They’re hunting for game-changers.

The next Josh Allen. The next Lamar Jackson. Or if not them, then at least guys who break defenses and make coordinators lose sleep. Sanders? He’s solid. But does he have the elite traits teams crave at the top of the draft?

He checks some important boxes. Smart, accurate, poised. He reads defenses well and works through progressions like a pro. His production—4,137 yards, 37 touchdowns—looks great on paper. But stats only tell part of the story. He had serious weapons, including Travis Hunter, who might be the best two-way player in college football history. And his offensive line? Brutal. The man was running for his life every other snap. Still, scouts don’t see an undeniable first-round talent.

The biggest knock? Arm strength. Sanders can make the throws, but he doesn’t fire lasers into tight windows. NFL secondaries don’t leave much margin for error. He underthrows deep balls and doesn’t hit receivers in stride like top-tier passers. When he’s pressured, his accuracy dips—badly. Defenders in the NFL don’t just close windows; they slam them shut. And without elite zip, he’s going to have to rely on near-perfect anticipation to survive.

His athleticism? Good, not great. He’s not the guy who’s going to make defenders miss like Lamar or take off like Justin Fields. Some compare him to Joe Burrow, but Burrow had elite pocket awareness. Sanders is still working on that. He improved his toughness in the pocket this season, but he also bailed out of clean looks too often. Bad habits form fast when you don’t trust your protection. Any team drafting him better have a strong O-line, or it could get ugly.

So where does that leave him? Some teams have a second-round grade on him, per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. But it only takes one GM to fall in love. QB desperation is a real thing, and this class isn’t exactly stacked. He’s still likely to hear his name in the first round, but his draft stock isn’t what it once was.

So, the talent is there. The question is whether a team is willing to bet on his upside—or if they see too many limitations to take the risk.