The Pittsburgh Steelers may be attempting to trade down in the NFL Draft. We also get a scope of what might be going on with their interest in Shedeur Sanders.
A former Steeler opens eyes in the UFL, and the Pirates will try their fortunes in California.
All that in “First Call” for Tuesday.
Looking to dance?
ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter says the Steelers are looking to trade down in the first round of the NFL Draft.
“The Steelers (No. 21) are among the teams interested in moving back from their first-round slot,” Schefter said Monday.“That list also includes the Jaguars (5), Panthers (8), 49ers (11), Falcons (15), Seahawks (18), Buccaneers (19) and Vikings (24), who currently have four picks, the fewest of any team.”
The Steelers have only six picks this weekend in the draft. So if they can get an additional third-round pick, or especially a second-rounder, they’d probably be willing to fall back, even at the risk of leaving a top prospect on the board.
There is a problem, though. According to Schefter, the Steelers may have hard time finding a dance partner.
“There has been, however, a lack of teams willing to trade up — at least so far,” he added. “The Broncos have made inquiries about moving up in Round 1, according to sources. But there aren’t many others. This always could change when players start falling and teams are on the clock.”
Unfortunately, the Broncos pick at No. 20, one slot ahead of the Steelers.
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Schefter on Shedeur
Schefter also provided a little texture as to where the Steelers sit in terms of the Shedeur Sanders sweepstakes.
The Colorado quarterback was widely thought to be a top 5 pick at the start of the draft process. But now he may slip down draft boards Thursday night.
“Sources said the Steelers had not been planning to draft a quarterback in Round 1, but they also were not expecting Sanders to fall out of the top 10. Now, all options seem to be on the table, and they are preparing in case they have the option to draft Sanders,” Schefter said.
The Giants, Saints and Browns could also be interested parties.
Schefter also stated: “Short of Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, any other coach who drafts Sanders better be comfortable with his standing within the organization. Because if that team struggles and the fan base is calling for a coaching change, speculation will start to swirl about Sanders’ father taking over.”
That’s fair. However,as Schefter pointed out, Deion Sanders recently finalized a five-year, $54 million contract extension. The buyout starts at $12 million if he leaves before Dec. 31, 2025. Then it drops to $10 million if he leaves in 2026, $6 million in 2027, $4 million in 2028 and $3 million in 2029.
Matthew’s moves
A former Steeler had the best highlight from this weekend’s UFL action.
As spotted at Steelers.Now.com, wide receiver Mathew Sexton of the San Antonio Brahmas returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown against the D.C. Defenders on Sunday.
MATHEW SEXTON 83 YARDS FOR A PUNT RETURN TD pic.twitter.com/llWw6Z7RFA
— United Football League (@TheUFL) April 20, 2025
San Antonio went on to beat D.C. 24-18 for the Brahmas’ first win of the season.
The Eastern Michigan product made a push for a roster spot in Pittsburgh during the 2021 training camp but was eventually released.
Sexton is in his third go-round in spring football. He played in 10 games for the XFL’s Vegas Vipers in 2023. From there, he had stops with the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins over the past two seasons. He was waived by Miami on June 18.
He did not play for another team last season andthen signed with the Brahmas.
L.A. story
The Pirates failed to build on the momentum from their series win at PNC Park against the Washington Nationals. Their next move was to get swept at home by the Cleveland Guardians.
Now they head west to face the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers in back-to-back series this week.
The Pirates (8-15) get the Angels (11-10) Tuesday through Thursday. The Angels have played only six home games so far. They are 4-2. The Bucs are 2-8 away from home.
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Los Angeles has dropped five of its past seven outings. But the club has hit 33 homers. That’s the fourth-most in Major League Baseball. The Pirates have just 16, tied for 26th.
The Dodgers lead the National League with 36.
The Angels are a game and a half back of American League West-leading Texas (13-9). The Pirates are in last place in the N.L. Central. Bailey Falter opens the series in Anaheim for the Buccos. He is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA. The Angels counter with Jose Soriano (2-2, 3.16).
Andrew Heaney (1-1, 2.13) versus Jack Kochanowicz (1-3, 6.20) is the matchup Wednesday with Carmen Mlodzinski (1-3, 7.41) against former Pirate Tyler Anderson (2-0, 2.08) onThursday.
Paul Skenes isn’t supposed to pitch until the series opener against the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine on Friday night.