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The AFC North is the setting for two of the most notable storylines of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Was the Shedeur Sanders slide unfortunate for the Deion-led family?
Sure.
But it is nothing compared to the tragic circumstances that befell one of the newest members of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
To wit ...
HARMON HEARTBREAK On Thursday, the Steelers made Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon the 21st pick in the NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh faithful are right to be excited about the move. It was a position of need, and Harmon was among the best defensive tackles in the class. At 6-4, 313, he has the requisite size to win against the run and pass. Harmon is an elite athlete, too, adding upside to that pass-rushing profile.
Harmon’s character and talent will soon win over Steelers fans. In the meantime, though, he’ll be dealing with the loss of his mother, Tiffany Saine. She passed away shortly after Harmon’s dreams came true.
Steelers President Art Rooney II released the following statement in support of his first-round pick.
“On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, I extend our deepest condolences to Derrick Harmon and his family during this difficult time.
“Though we are excited to select Derrick in the first round of the NFL Draft, our hearts are heavy as we mourn the death of his mother, Tiffany Saine. We will support Derrick and his family however we can as he navigates this period of grief. In times like this, we hope Derrick finds comfort in the love and support from the organization and Steelers fans around the world.
“Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Derrick's entire family.”
SHEDEUR SHOCKER When the Steelers took Harmon at No. 21, most assumed the choice was between an electric defensive tackle and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Clearly, that wasn’t the case.
Pittsburgh lost its second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks in the DK Metcalf trade. By the time their third-round pick was on the clock, at No. 83, Sanders was still available.
The Steelers chose Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson instead. Johnson’s an incredible scheme fit for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and he's big enough to take on the bulk of carries alongside Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
With strong footwork, vision, and contact balance, Johnson’s one-cut ability should step in and immediately start in Pittsburgh’s backfield. Johnson had continuously been linked to the Steelers throughout the draft process, given the position of need and stylistic fit.
Good for the Steelers.
But what about the Colorado QB Shedeur, the darling of ESPN's coverage who Mel Kiper Jr. sold as a top-5 player ... who slipped all the way to the Browns in Day 3's fifth round?
“I know I’m going to fit in perfectly,” Sanders said, keeping his chin up. “It’s first getting in, showing the respect to the vets, showing I’m ready to work, show the coaches and have them understand I’m here ready to work, so they can actually understand the real me.
"That’s what I’m truly thankful to have, is the opportunity for people to see the real me and not see stuff that could be true, or not.''
Continue reading...
Was the Shedeur Sanders slide unfortunate for the Deion-led family?
Sure.
But it is nothing compared to the tragic circumstances that befell one of the newest members of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
To wit ...
HARMON HEARTBREAK On Thursday, the Steelers made Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon the 21st pick in the NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh faithful are right to be excited about the move. It was a position of need, and Harmon was among the best defensive tackles in the class. At 6-4, 313, he has the requisite size to win against the run and pass. Harmon is an elite athlete, too, adding upside to that pass-rushing profile.
Harmon’s character and talent will soon win over Steelers fans. In the meantime, though, he’ll be dealing with the loss of his mother, Tiffany Saine. She passed away shortly after Harmon’s dreams came true.
Steelers President Art Rooney II released the following statement in support of his first-round pick.
“On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, I extend our deepest condolences to Derrick Harmon and his family during this difficult time.
“Though we are excited to select Derrick in the first round of the NFL Draft, our hearts are heavy as we mourn the death of his mother, Tiffany Saine. We will support Derrick and his family however we can as he navigates this period of grief. In times like this, we hope Derrick finds comfort in the love and support from the organization and Steelers fans around the world.
“Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Derrick's entire family.”
SHEDEUR SHOCKER When the Steelers took Harmon at No. 21, most assumed the choice was between an electric defensive tackle and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Clearly, that wasn’t the case.
Pittsburgh lost its second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks in the DK Metcalf trade. By the time their third-round pick was on the clock, at No. 83, Sanders was still available.
The Steelers chose Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson instead. Johnson’s an incredible scheme fit for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and he's big enough to take on the bulk of carries alongside Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
With strong footwork, vision, and contact balance, Johnson’s one-cut ability should step in and immediately start in Pittsburgh’s backfield. Johnson had continuously been linked to the Steelers throughout the draft process, given the position of need and stylistic fit.
Good for the Steelers.
But what about the Colorado QB Shedeur, the darling of ESPN's coverage who Mel Kiper Jr. sold as a top-5 player ... who slipped all the way to the Browns in Day 3's fifth round?
“I know I’m going to fit in perfectly,” Sanders said, keeping his chin up. “It’s first getting in, showing the respect to the vets, showing I’m ready to work, show the coaches and have them understand I’m here ready to work, so they can actually understand the real me.
"That’s what I’m truly thankful to have, is the opportunity for people to see the real me and not see stuff that could be true, or not.''
Related: Steelers' Draft Pick Derrick Harmon Shares Heartbreaking Update on His Mother’s Health
Related: New Browns' Quarterback Shedeur Sanders Faces Biggest Test Of His Life
Related: New Browns' Quarterback Shedeur Sanders Faces Biggest Test Of His Life
Continue reading...
